Sports
Dubai can become a tech hub, say experts
Dubai can become a tech hub, say experts Staff Report / 7 July 2013 Dubai can be transformed into a science and technology hub in the Middle East through technology evaluation, which will encourage small and medium enterprises, or SMEs, to invest into innovation and manufacturing, industry experts said during the first roundtable discussion on technology evaluation organised by Micro Automation Industries, a Jebel Ali-based manufacturer. The event was a part of a series of discussions scheduled to be held throughout 2013 with Dubai SME members. — Supplied photo The event, held in cooperation with Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development in Dubai, identified methodologies and criteria to evaluate and select advanced technology appropriate to be settled or supported in the UAE. “Technology evaluation is very important for any economy as witnessed in developed countries,” said Hazim Al Hajjaj, CEO of Micro Automation Industries. “This will help Dubai to further flourish and diversify the economy. It is crucial for the government in its endeavour to advance the manufacturing and industrial sector by giving it greater credence.” The meeting was part of a series of discussions scheduled to be held throughout the year with Dubai SME members. About 30 UAE-based SMEs attended the discussion. According to Al Hajjaj, with knowledge-based capital driving investment and productivity in the 21st century, technology evaluation becomes critical to avoid clustering of inappropriate technology. Harry Wouters, business strategy advisor at Micro Automation Industries in Belgium, said: “Technology evaluation will serve as a measurement tool in creating a strategy, which will enable government policies to support the priority areas in the UAE on a macro level like bio-technology, nanotechnology, information technology, digital and electronics, among others.” Other points discussed during the event were the techniques used in evaluation from developed countries, suggested framework for evaluation and the role the government can play to attract critical added value technologies emerging in Dubai. Dr Abdulhaleem Aman, technology advisor at Micro Automation Industries in Germany, said that some of the challenges that Dubai is currently facing in the technology sector are the lack of support from financial institutions to SMEs and the environment is not right for research and development activities. — rohma@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Egypt’s new president asserts authority
Egypt’s new president asserts authority (AP) / 7 July 2013 Egypt’s new president moved to assert his authority and regain control of the streets Saturday even as his opponents declared his powers illegitimate and issued blood oaths to reinstate Mohammed Mursi, whose ouster by the military has led to duelling protests and deadly street battles between rival sides. But underscoring the sharp divisions facing the untested leader, Adly Mansour, his office said pro-reform leader Mohamed El Baradei had been named as interim prime minister but later backtracked on the decision saying consultations were continuing. Mansour’s administration, meanwhile, has begun trying to dismantle Mursi’s legacy. He replaced Mursi’s intelligence chief and the presidential palace’s chief of staff. Prosecutors, meanwhile, ordered four detained stalwarts of Mursi’s Brotherhood held for 15 days pending an investigation into the shooting deaths of eight protesters last week. No major violence was reported between supporters and opponents of Mursi as the two sides sought to regroup after a night of fierce clashes that turned downtown Cairo into a battlefield. Clashes were also fierce in the port city of Alexandria, where thousands from both sides fought each other with automatic rifles, firebombs and clubs. Friday’s violence left 36 dead, taking to at least 75 the number of people killed since the unrest began on June 30, when millions of protesters took to the streets on the anniversary of Mursi’s inauguration as Egypt’s first democratically elected president. Mursi, a U.S.-trained engineer who was widely accused by critics of monopolizing power for himself and the Brotherhood as well as his failure to implement democratic and economic reforms, remained under detention in an undisclosed location. “El-Sissi is a traitor,” declared an English language banner bearing an image of the army’s chief and hoisted by Mursi’s supporters. Setting up another showdown, the youth opposition group behind the series of mass protests that led to Mursi’s ouster called on Egyptians to take to the streets on Sunday to show support for the new order. Mansour, 67, the former chief justice of the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court who was installed by the military as an interim leader, is little-known in international circles and the choice of El Baradei would have given his administration a prominent global face to make its case to Washington and other Western allies trying to reassess policies. But news of El Baradei’s appointment, which was reported by the state news agency MENA and others, proved divisive. The 71-year-old Nobel laureate was an inspiring figure to the youth groups behind the 2011 revolution that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak as well as the uprising against Mursi. His appointment as prime minister would cement Mansour’s support among the young anti-Mursi protesters. Mansour’s spokesman Ahmed el Musalamani denied that the appointment of the former U.N. nuclear negotiator was ever certain. However, reporters gathered at the presidential palace ahead of his news conference were told earlier that the president would arrive shortly to announce it. The dispute over El Baradei underlines the fragmentation of Egypt’s politics as the country continues to be roiled by bout after bout of unrest and violence since Mubarak’s ouster. The 2011 uprising opened the way for the political rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was long suppressed by Mubarak’s Western-backed regime, and Mursi was elected last year by a narrow margin. The fundamentalist movement swiftly rejected El Baradei’s appointment. The Brotherhood has vowed to boycott the political process, saying the military manoeuvre was a coup that overturned a democratically elected government. “Now it’s clear that the Mubarak regime has the upper hand,” Brotherhood spokesman Ahmed Aref alleged. “We cannot accept the strategy of arm twisting; we cannot accept the authority being snatched by force,” he told The AP. The group’s powerful deputy Khairat el-Shater, former leader Mahdi Akef, Rashad Bayoumi and Saad el-Ketatni have been accused of inciting violence against protesters in Cairo. The silver-haired new president, meanwhile, insisted national reconciliation was his top priority. Continue reading
Time for re-dressing, it’s Ramadan
Time for re-dressing, it’s Ramadan Dhanusha Gokulan / 7 July 2013 So how short is short?” enquired 26-year-old Irish Maria Nolan. A first-time tourist in Dubai, Nolan and her friend have been in Dubai for a fortnight and according to them, “we have been spending time doing all the touristy things. Before coming to the city, we did have a look at what is culturally acceptable and what is not. But the city surprised us,” said Nolan. A week ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, residents and tourists are being notified about the dress code policy in public places. Last year, the issue sparked serious debates on various online forums and mass media. The discussions did raise a lot of awareness among both residents and tourists. The twitter account @UAEDressCode became largely popular among the Twitterati and are continuing their campaign to raise awareness on ‘what is acceptable and what is not’. Wear what you want without offending culture: Scholars Ahmed Shaaban Islamic researcher Dr Shaikh Mohammed Ashmawy says offensive practices and skimpy outfits are not acceptable in public, particularly in shopping centres, malls, and places with crowded people. “Normally, such acts are not tolerated for since they are a real threat to the stability of the society and violate the culture, tradition and religion of the country. Visitors and residents should respect the UAE rules and traditions.” Indian Scholar Shaikh Mohammed Yusuf, Imam of a Masjid here, said people are free to wear what they want, yet without offending others in public. Debbie Jaunich from the Shaikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding explains residents and visitors are asked to be mindful of their dress, in particular during Ramadan because Muslims will be fasting during daylight hours, and fasting is a form of worship. “It is all really about recognising the holy month and its disciplines, which include avoiding wrongdoing and perfecting good behaviour, which includes modest dress.” According to the decency and public conduct rules, residents and visitors may not be well aware that an Islamic country has its own code of address, particularly during holy occasions, such as Ramadan. “Women have to avoid indecent dresses that expose their stomach and back, short clothing above the knee, tight and transparent clothing that reveals the body or its shape. Men should not wear short pants in public places or display bare chest and arms.” Abu Abdullah, Egyptian accountant, said Ramadan is a sacred month when Muslims maximise their efforts to get closer to Allah. “Worshippers do not want anything to disturb them or spoil their fasting during the holy month.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Online debaters are continuing discussions on the forum. Vicki Attoe, with the Twitter handle @soundthend4ever said on her account: “Flyers must be handed out at airports.” This year, shopping malls like The Dubai Mall have been distributing leaflets to visitors of the mall reminding both men and women to dress appropriately while being on the premises of the mall. Most shopping malls have also placed stickers and posters reminding people to dress in a way that is not offend the cultural sensitivities of the place. However, for those who are new to the place, are a little confused about what is appropriate and what is not. “If the mall authorities do not want us wearing short skirts and hot pants, why are they selling them? I have grown up here and I understand what is acceptable and what is not. But for a tourist, if shorts are being sold in stores, he or she would assume that it is okay to wear it,” said Ananya P, a 20-year-old Dubai resident. According to a statement issued by an official at The Dubai Mall, guest service representatives and security personnel have been instructed to hand out flyers to shoppers ‘discreetly and courteously, to remind any guests about the need to respect the region’s cultural ethos’. Vishal Mahajan, director of Dubai Outlet Mall, said: “Any clothing which enables more than necessary body exposure or does not suit the place of public, within the norms of a social/public place may be unacceptable.” Mall authorities have also gone on to state that the dress code policy is not limited to the month of Ramadan, but people must accept it as a regular norm. “The Dubai Mall underlines its commitment to the values and customs of the UAE, and urges all visitors to adhere to its dress code policy. Most of our visitors are aware of the dress code policy. But given that the city hosts visitors from around the world – some of them are not aware of the cultural sensitivities of the country – we take extra care in highlighting the mall’s courtesy policy for the benefit of all,” said the statement. Furthermore, “for more awareness, the courtesy policy is printed in two types of flyers in eight languages (English, Arabic, French, Russian, Italian, German, Hindi and Chinese). Flyers printed in DL size that are provided at the 11 guest service desks located around the mall and are also available in a pocket size version handed politely to the mall visitors, who might be unaware, reminding them of the policy. We are committed to ensuring the social and cultural morals of the UAE and encourage visitors to respect the country’s cultural sensitivities.” Though none of the mall authorities has said anything about any kind of action being taken against them, they said that security personnel have been only instructed to make them aware of the dress code policies. Mahajan said: “In such a situation the mall management very politely makes the concerned person aware of the dress code policy in the mall and requests them to abide by the same. Mahajan added: “Dubai Outlet Mall’s courtesy policy, signs and stickers are displayed at the entrances of the mall and in visible places for customer to see. A respectful dress code should be followed at all times inside the mall. We do not circulate flyers but in extreme cases, carefully communicate in person through trained customer service staff. We uphold the values of the country and the religion at all times. The mall uses its different online and print mediums such as website, Facebook, Twitter and magazines to reach out to the masses and communicate the messages to the visitors. For the walk-in customers, signs and notices are displayed around the mall. Another resident, Jamila Masuniddin, said: “It’s not just the tourists but sometimes even residents walk-in in very skimpy attire. It’s the summer and these clothes are being sold in shops. You can’t expect them not to wear these clothes because it is confusing. Why sell them if it is not acceptable?” dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
