Censorship
According to a report issued by the Open Net Initiative (ONI), ‘The gov-
ernment of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) censors political and reli-
gious content and pervasively filters websites that contain pornography
or content relating to alcohol or drug use, gay and lesbian issues, or
online dating or gambling.’ All journalists working in Dubai know that
some topics, such as criticism of the UAE’s rulers or anything that could
be perceived as negative treatment of Islam, are completely off limits.oiling thE WhEElS of SuccESS
The UAE has the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves (after Saudi Ara-
bia, Iran, Iraq, Canada, Kuwait and Venezuela), but the vast majority
of it is concentrated in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is thought that at
current levels of production, reserves will last for only another century
and, sensibly, the country is looking at other industries to take over
from oil in the future. Dubai handled this with particular foresight,
largely thanks to the vision and ambition of Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid al-Maktoum. Its reserves of oil and gas were never huge, but it
used its resources wisely towards financing a modern and efficient in-
frastructure for trade, manufacturing and tourism. Today, about 82% of
the UAE’s non-oil GDP is generated in Dubai, and about 95% of Dubai’s
GDP (US$81 billion in 2008) is not oil-based. Inflation slowed down
significantly in 2011 and now hovers around 2.5%.sheiKh MohaMMed – Mr dubaiWhen Dubai’s current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, was named
one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2008, it surprised
no one� Having spent several years as a de facto ruler while he was crown prince,
Sheikh Mohammed was the only candidate for the top job when his brother, Sheikh
Maktoum, died in early 2006� Although he is surrounded by some of the greatest
minds in the Gulf, as well as political and economic experts imported from all over the
world, there’s no uncertainty about where executive power lies� ‘Sheikh Mo’, as he is
affectionately called, has a flair for generating publicity for the city and was deeply
involved in the planning and construction of landmark projects such as the Burj al-
Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa� For the Burj al-Arab project, it’s said that the
sheikh wanted a design that would be as resonant as the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney
Opera House�
In addition to handling the day-to-day running of the emirate, Sheikh Mohammed
strengthens the bond between Dubai and the other six emirates in his capacity as
prime minister and vice-president of the united Arab Emirates (uAE)� At the same
time� his ownership of Dubai Holding gives him control of numerous businesses such
as the Jumeirah Group (properties including the Burj al-Arab) and TECOM (Internet
City)� He’s also a keen fan of falconry and equestrianism and runs the Godolphin
Stables� He is believed to be worth at least uS$10 billion�
visitors from Western countries may feel uncomfortable with the large-scale por-
traits of the ruler on billboards and buildings around town� Yet these are not simply
the propaganda tools of an autocratic regime; many people in Dubai revere their ruler�
Few world leaders are able to drive themselves around town, as Sheikh Mohammed
does, without a bodyguard and without any fear of being attacked� Although dissent-
ing voices aren’t tolerated and the local media is uncritical, most people admire the
emirates’ leaders for creating a haven of peace and prosperity in a troubled part of
the world�Poli
Tics &
e
co
nomy
o
il
in
G
(^) T
he
Wheel
S
o
F S
u
CC
e
SS