Mounir Harfouche:

Dubai, the Multi-faceted Emirate

Maybe you should know that Dubai’s strategy is geared towards the happiness of its people.

The article published in the UK’S The Telegraph on the 19th of October, 2015 entitled ‘Who in their right mind would want to visit Dubai’ by

Alex Proud, resulted in a flood of controversy over the validity of the claims made and the voracity with which it was written. The piece, unjustifiably so, attacked a number of factors found in the Emirate such as its tasteless architecture, inhumane treatment of foreign workers, and the absurd enforcement of its laws. In response, Mounir Harfouche, CEO of Lowe MENA, who has made the country his home for almost two decades, shot back with an article about what living there is really like. Dear Mr. Proud,

I have read your article about Dubai and found it mysteriously childish, bizarrely inaccurate and professionally immature.

I don’t know who you are so I am not judging you as a person, I am simply judging your unexplained phobia called Dubai.

It shocks me to know that you filled a page of hatred against a city you haven’t even visited. So what makes you judge?

It suprises me to see your careless way to insult around 2.5 million people, quoting you: “And then it hit me. You know exactly who Dubai man and woman are. They’re a certain brassy subset of the middleclasses. The kind of people who love expensive mock-georgian new-builds. The kind of people who drive SUVS with personalised plates. They have good jobs and they’re successful, but they probably don’t have many books on their shelves.” -- I am wondering what books have you read in your life to make you so shallow in your reflections and opinions, where none of your arguments make an inch of sense.

I found your arrogance closer to ignorance and your inferiority complex superior to all. Your narrow-minded comparisons and facts you used to construct your masterpiece are pity. Maybe you need to learn more about tolerance and openness, acceptance and respect rather than living in extremes. The world is not just Amsterdam or Ibiza versus Saudi Arabia. There is much more in between.

Maybe you should learn while reading the books on your shelves that Dubai is not just a vacation destination. It is the most cosmopolitan city in the world where more than 200 different nationalities from different ethnicities and religions, live together in harmony to produce, create and live. Dubai has one of the most advanced infrastructures in the world, its Smart Government is leading unique global solutions, its safety is equal to none, its business environment is one of the most attractive and its cultural events are increasing by the day. Let’s not forget your country had a great deal of positive influence in this country as well but you seem to rape this too.

I am not saying that everything is perfect, but show me perfection in any country in the world. Maybe you should know that Dubai’s strategy is geared towards the happiness of its people. This is not just nice talk. You need to be informed that every investment and every step they make has the comfort and happiness of anyone living or visiting Dubai at its core – and this is an obvious sign that this city will naturally evolve even more with its systems and laws to become more prepared to embrace the social changes and the complex structure of its community.

You should also know that anyone who lives here does it by choice because somehow everyone finds a bit of an upgrade to his business, to his lifestyle, to his safety or to any reason it might be.

I have been living in this city for 18 years and I am ‘Proud’ of it. I am successful (I can find a great job), I am driving a flashy car (I can afford it and park it), I do live in a beautiful house (and I need no alarms to protect it), I am connected to the world (and I travel the best airline company called Emirates), I do attend many cultural events (and I don’t mean soccer), I do own many shelves with many books on them (in three languages), I do party in the best clubs till 3 am, I do drink, I do dance, I do pray in my church, I do live the way I want, but I do also respect the respect this city gave me.

Do I miss rain and snow? Sure. But maybe not as much as you miss the sun and some positivity in your life.

If you ever decide to visit Dubai, I’d love to be your host.