Meeting with H.E. Christian Wulff

Good morning all ^_^ How are you doing? hope everything is fine.

Last Sunday (14th of February), I had the chance to meet a German Politician, who was visiting the UAE with the delegation accompanying him. He was Mr. Christian Wulff, Minister-President of Lower Saxony, Germany.



The meeting was held in Konrad Adenauer Stiftung office in Abu Dhabi, and was attended by a number of UAE students and officials.

Actually it was a good opportunity for both sides to talk about their cultures, ask questions and get answers about many things in their minds.

One thing really caught my attention, and I have noticed it in this meeting (From Mr. Wulff's replies to our questions) and during the last workshop I have attended in Dubai, when Emirati and German young journalists worked together side by side to produce a magazine in Arabic and German (I have mentioned it before). The thing is, and I don't know if I got it right, but Germans are not very proud of their history, and as a matter of fact, one of the German young journalist (While we were at the house of the German Ambassador to the UAE in Abu Dhabi said "We have been ashamed of ourselves since world war II".

The start of the war is generally held to be September 1, 1939, with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by most of the countries in the British Empire and Commonwealth, and by France.

I really would like to know more about this, maybe during my trip to Germany next June "Insha'Allah", where I will get to meet more young people who are willing to exchange information about our cultures, history and more.

Can't wait ^_^

P.S: I will let you all know my trip plan to Germany as soon as it is ready and confirmed.

Al Fujairah...the seventh emirate

The only emirate without a coastline on the Arabian Gulf is Fujairah, which is ruled by the Al Sharqi family. Situated along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah covers about 1,300 square kilometres.



Unlike other emirates, where the desert forms a large part of the terrain, mountains and plains are its predominant features. Fujairah's economy is based on fishing and agriculture. Like Ras Al Khaimah, the land in Fujairah is irrigated by rainwater from the Hajar Mountains, making it ideal for farming. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi is the present ruler.

Ras Al Khaimah...the sixth emirate

Ras Al Khaimah, the most northerly emirate, is ruled by another branch of the Al Qasimi family. It covers an area of 1,700 square kilometres. Thanks to the run-off water from the Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah has a unique abundance of flora, so it is no surprise that agriculture is important to the local economy.



The emirate also benefits from its stone quarries, and fishing, which is plentiful in the rich waters of the Gulf. The city of Ras Al Khaimah, situated on an inlet, has a rich history. It was renowned for its prosperous port and for its exquisite pearls, which were famous as being the whitest and roundest available anywhere. Ras Al Khaimah's current ruler is Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.



P.S: Ras Al Khaimah is the only emirate that witnesses snow fall during winter. Can you imagine ice in a desert? ^_^

Umm Al Qaiwain...the fifth emirate

Umm Al Qaiwain is ruled by the Al Mualla family. It is the second smallest emirate, with a total area of around 770 square kilometres. Positioned between the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman to the south and Ras Al Khaimah to the north, Umm Al Qaiwain has the smallest population.



Fishing is the local population's primary means of income. Date farming also plays a significant role in the economy. After the union of the emirates in 1971 Umm Al Qaiwain developed into a modern state, and continues to progress under its present ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla.

Ajman...the fourth emirate.

Ajman is the smallest emirate, comprising only 260 square kilometres. It is ruled by the Al Nuami family. Surrounded mostly by the emirate of Sharjah, Ajman also possesses the small enclaves of Manama and Musfut in the Hajar Mountains.



Along the creek dhow building was the specialised trade. Fishing and date-trees provided the local population with their primary means of sustenance. Ajman benefited greatly from the union of the emirates, a fact that is reflected today in their stately buildings and infrastructure. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami has been the ruler since 1981.

Sharjah...Center of Education

Sharjah, the third of the seven emirates, shares its southern border with Dubai and is ruled by the Al Qasimi family. It is approximately 2,600 square kilometres and is the only emirate to have coastlines on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.



In the nineteenth century the town of Sharjah was the leading port in the lower Gulf. Produce from the interior of Oman, India and Persia arrived there. Sharjah's salt mines meant that salt constituted an important part of its export business, along with pearls. In the 1930s when the pearling industry declined and trade decreased due to the creek silting up, Imperial Airways' flying boats set up a staging post for flights en route to India, which benefited the residents of Sharjah.

Today, Sharjah is the cultural and educational centre of the UAE and takes pride in preserving the country's cultural heritage as well as promoting Arab culture and traditions, under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Dubai, Dar Al Hay (Home of Lively People)

Good morning again :)
How are you all? I am sure that everyone in this world knows Dubai, the home of lively people as we say. But I thought of adding little bits of information to your knowledge :)

Dubai, the second largest of the seven emirates, is ruled by the Al Maktoum family. It occupies an area of approximately 3,900 kilometres, which includes a small enclave called Hatta, situated close to Oman, amongst the Hajar Mountains.



Dubai, the capital city, is located along the creek, a natural harbour, which traditionally provided the basis of the trading industry. Pearling and fishing were the main sources of income for the people of Dubai. Under the wise leadership of its rulers, Dubai's focus on trade and industry transformed it into the leading trading port along the southern Gulf. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai.