Often Dubai is marketed particularly to the Western World as an “international City” where societies “integrate” and cultures assimilate. But how far Dubai has progressed on this front? Or does Dubai at all have the chance of truly assimilating various cultures? Does Dubai, or the UAE offer enough opportunities and avenues to make it so? Despite my otherwise positive views on Dubai on numerous aspects, I tend to agree with this long interview based article in Gulf News today, that it is still a “Fusion Spot”.
I feel that progressing towards being a melting pot will take a long time – esp. not until the time it is at least “allowed” to be so! Here’s how Dubai can fast convert its current status of a “Fusion Spot” to a “Melting Pot” of cultures:
1) Have a common International Language – Be it Arabic or English or any other language, one language should have a prime importance. A common language offers a common platform to share ideas, opinions and cross pollination & assimilation of cultures. Unlike “International“ cities like Singapore, London, etc., Dubai seems to have been caught up in a language dilemma between English and Arabic.
2) Remove Racialism in Employment – Perhaps it is one of the few “international” cities (correct me if I’m wrong) where nationality criteria overrides education, experience, aptitude, abilities, and other professional criteria, for recruiting. As if this was not enough, salary levels differ by different nationalities. This immediately becomes a barrier for interaction of cultures. People tend to form their own clusters within their own communities.
3) Have a Central attraction point that inculcates mixing of cultures – Currently Dubai lacks a common platform for mixing cultures. Despite DSS and DSF being great opportunities, one could feel strong Arabic undercurrent in the former - and shopping priority in the latter (DSF = Dubai Shopping Festival). And shopping and retailing is not what promotes cultural assimilation.
4) Remove barriers to permanent adoption – Although Dubai has been offering various options to invest and buy in residential properties, all one gets is a “residency visa” and not a “citizenship”. Hence it consolidates the existing belief that Dubai is a place to earn and go back – the city will never accept you as its own! This is a major barrier to people genuinely wanting to contribute, integrate and assimilate to the local / existing culture and societies!
5) Promote higher and more accessible higher education – It is said that universities are the best promoters of cross cultural acceptance. Currently, Dubai / UAE has limited opportunity that promotes other nationalities to prefer it as a place for higher education. AUS and AUD do have limited scope but are currently regarded as too expensive for majority of the Dubai population – even if that majority happens to be from Indian sub-continent! Quality is still a point of argument. A vibrant university which promotes quality higher education primarily for locals (and perhaps by quota system for other nationalities), would contribute immeasurably to making Dubai a melting pot.
All the above are my own conservative opinions. There are chances that some of the assumptions above could be generalist “impressions”. Hence, over to you all, for your views!
