.: The Red Brick – Dubai College's Student Newspaper :.

Hajj is truly unique. As the world spins and time ticks at frantic pace, the heart of one city remains unperturbed. Just as the planets orbit the sun, just as electrons orbit the nucleus, people orbit the Kaaba in unity – with the belief in One God, the Creator of the Universe. Hajj is a pillar of Islam that has continued uninterruptedly from the very dawn of human history. Six thousand years ago, the Prophet Ibrahim rebuilt the Kaaba in the valley of Makkah, the very place that Muslims of the 21^st century will pray this November.

Why is Hajj so essential in Islam? Islam is based upon ideals of peace and brotherhood. Hence, this is the place where beliefs are put into action. In Hajj, worldly success or fame makes no difference. This is a place where Kings and paupers are equal – humbly dressed in white cloth with the intention to worship Allah. People of all race, age, creed and class bow down in synchrony towards the House of God, and there is silence as millions of people, each with their individual situations and weaknesses,  focus on Allah. Indeed, many feel that Hajj is the true human experience. Over centuries, Mecca has always held the largest annual congregation of people with this very intention to worship Allah, for His Help and Mercy in this world and the hereafter. As Islam is the fastest growing religion, this annual congregation will continue to flourish in the future.

What is remarkable is the spiritual transformation that many feel after their experience from Hajj. Malcolm X, America’s Civil Rights activist, well known for his racial and segregationist ideas underwent a complete change after his experience in Makkah.

“During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug – while praying to the same God – with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white.”

Aside from the spirituality of Hajj, many have examined intriguing scientific facts. Firstly, many may question – ‘Why is the Kaaba positioned in the heart of Mecca?’ Recently it has been discovered that Mecca is the ‘Golden Ratio point’ of the world. The Golden Ratio – or the number 1.618 which is the superior design number of mathematics famously examined by Leonardo Da Vinci, is present in the heart pulse, the aspect ratio of the DNA spiral and even in the special design of numerous galaxies. It is truly intriguing that Mecca is the ‘Golden Ratio’ point of the world – from the North Pole and the South Pole, the map of Longitude and Latitude, and the difference from Mecca and the Solstice line.

Indeed, Hajj is a curious experience; one where the heart is purified from all evils, where unity of the human race is felt, and where a true spiritual connection with Allah is experienced.

Iman Tahir

Pumpkins, ‘spooky’ fake cobwebs, last-minute masks bought from Choithrams before it shuts, and a decent location.  All you need for a guaranteed Dubai Halloween.

In the past few years, it’s been suggested that the best place for a ‘solid’ bin-bag of sweets is to make your way downtown (or down Sheikh Zayed Road) and through to the Lakes, for that’s where the real heart and soul of Halloween lives.  All 150 villas in each Deema put their full effort into making Halloween a memorable event.  What’s their secret?  You’ve got to acknowledge the five senses all humans have – and how to cater to all of them.

Let’s start with the easiest of them.  Sight is one of the most important factors.  Colour scheme is obvious: black and orange, and a lot of it too!  No on

e likes a boring house with a feeble ghost made out of the old bed sheet (although that is not a bad idea).  Spice up your back yard with anything and everything!  Light is important, make sure there a lots of candles!  Scary masks hung up on the wall, fake bats, hanging witches from strings, you know the deal.  Also, it’s always fun when the actual sweets are next to a carved pumpkin or in a cauldron. Finally, you need to make sure you are ALL dressed up too ; no point having a house that doesn’t reflect the owner!

The next sense we move onto is a quintessential one: taste.  Are your sweets quality or quantity?  It’s vital to get the right mix of both.  Although they are probably cheapest, no one likes a handful of Tiffany sweets (old school!) so why not mix it up with the mixed chocolate packs of Smarties, Twix, Mars, etc.  Also a big bag of mini Softy’s are always a hit!  It’s key to get a VARIETY of sweets so marshmallows are also a good option, along with gummy bears, or any Haribo products.

Next we have touch which is quite a difficult one.  To cater to this particular need, perhaps you could set up a little activity.  A popular one used by many Lakes-ers, is that of putting small items (for example rings) into a large platter of spaghetti, and making the young Trick or Treaters find these items with their hands or feet.

For sound it can be fun to play some eerie background sounds of ghost ‘woos’ or werewolf howls.  And to accompany this and finally set straight the final sense smell then light a flavoured candle, of perhaps pumpkin if that’s in store!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Joanne Adib

What is Dubai’s Culture?

‘A thriving, dynamic and diverse city in the Middle East.’

-The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority

Living in Dubai, my second home in the Arabian Peninsula for fifteen years; I have no doubt seen and witnessed the ever-changing and dramatic landscape developments sprouting up around Dubai with a concrete jungle sitting squat. However, the one aspect that remains the same is the undeniable peaceful coexistence between vast nationalities.

As one the seven emirates, the international hub of Dubai has had over two hundred nationalities mixing and mingling together over the last thirty years of exponential development. Dubai is a one of a kind cosmopolitan city that doesn’t fit accordingly to any ‘Burgess’ Model of an urban area that you learn about in Geography. With its uniqueness, heritage, culture and arts, this diverse city is rich with tradition juxtaposed as being just a new vibrant tourist hotspot with up to ten million tourists jet setting into it alone this year. It no doubt has been put ‘on the map’ as one of the top holiday destinations- compared to fifteen years prior where enquiring and confused faces questioned: What is Dubai? Where is it?

Curious to expand my knowledge on Dubai’s culture: I stumbled across the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority website* which celebrates ‘… all that is Dubai. A thriving, dynamic and diverse city in the Middle East.’ One of their initiatives aims to expose upcoming Emirati artists who explore the ‘richness of the Emirati cultural iden

tity. When I first settled into the vast desert, I lamented the lack of art galleries, events and exhibitions- now whether it’s small pocketed alleyway galleries to huge pristine white walled spaces, annual events such as ‘Art Dubai’ which last year impressively boasted seventy galleries from thirty countries worldwide and provided the spotlight for upcoming and international artists to communicate and present their diverse masterpieces for the whole of Dubai’s eager eyes to see.

With numerous trips to the Dubai Museum, wondering about through the archaic pathways of the Al Bastakiya areas, smelling the sweet whiffs of Dubai’s Spice Souk, and discovering the bustling side of ‘Old Dubai’, whilst cruising on a traditional ‘abra’ along Bur Dubai Creek side – there is always an abundance of fascinating things you can learn about Dubai’s heritage and undiscovered places that you can visit. I’m still in awe of how crammed energized visitors are able to squeeze across the creek by a little chugging motor. All of the following places are open to the public to promote and preserve national heritage and education for residents, visitors and Emiratis.

Finally, it’s time to grab your trainers and light sports gear because Dubai is also equipped with cultural and traditional sporting adventures: especially ones for you adrenaline junkies out there. The giga

ntic slopes of sand dunes and vast sand spaces make Dubai like no other when it comes to roller coasting your way across the sand and bouncing yourself silly with dune bashing; reckless or not, sand boarding, camel riding, belly dancing the night away or even just simply strolling across the sun kissed sand to capture that last minute dip of the blazed sun.
* www.dubaiculture.ae

List of Cultural Heritage Areas and Places in Dubai:
• Al Bastakiya
• Archaeological Sites
• Bait Al Wakeel
• Bur Dubai Creekside Promenade
• Burj Nahar
• Dubai Museum
• Hatta Heritage Village
• Heritage House
• Heritage Village & Diving Village
• Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al Sheif
• Old Souks
• Sheikh Saeed’s House
• Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House
• Union House

Raeleen Murugan

Art is the mirror of a culture and its world view. This statement applies no less perfectly to the art of the Islamic world. Islamic Art represents the Muslim outlook on life, their spirituality and the universe as a whole.

The Muslim belief is of one God – ‘Allah’. He is the All Knowing, Most Merciful and the Loving. The beauty of this simple belief of one Higher Being brings the Muslims together in harmony. This has given Islamic Art its sensational spiritual nature.

In Islamic Art, tessellated shapes are frequently used to symbolize this harmony. Muslims are thought to work together or fit together, similar to the shapes in the patterns. As if to send a message that following Islam is easy and balanced.

The Qur’anic calligraphy found in the mosques is an important aspect of Islamic culture because of the Muslims’ profound love and respect for Allah and the Qur’an. The arabesque and calligraphic character of the words reinforce this spiritual atmosphere the art projects.

History of Islamic Art
Islamic architecture and decorative arts are alive from all over the Islamic world, from North Africa to Asia. Islamic Art can come in the forms of architecture, embroidery, decoration and jewellery. Nowadays the Islamic patterns and designs are also translated onto rugs as well as pouches.

“God is Beautiful and Loves Beauty” –said by the Prophet Mohammed (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) some 1400 years ago.

The United Arab Emirates
As a Dubai resident we are surrounded by Islamic artwork and not only gain appreciation towards it but for the artier ones among us- inspiration. Islamic artwork really portrays this peaceful and truthful nature of the religion. It evokes what it is really about; harmony and balance. From the stunning architecture of the Jumeirah Mosque to the rich dark blue calligraphy found on ornamental plates in bazaars, we always feel rather spiritual when admiring Islamic Art.

By Yasmin Adib

Here are some famous personalities that you probably didn’t know were Muslims!

Frank Ribéry
He’s a French football player who also plays for the German club Bayern Munich. Ribéry converted to Islam, as his wife, Wahiba, is a French national of Algerian descent. After converting, Frank Ribery changed his name to Bilal Yusuf Mohammed, however he continues to put “Ribery” on his football shirt.

T-Pain
He is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. He was born a Muslim (his parents are Muslim too) and his real name is Faheem Rasheed Najm. T-Pain is friends with another Muslim hip-hop artist, Afnanymous, and is signed onto the record label Konvict which is run by Akon (see below.)

Yusuf Islam
He is often known by his former stage name Cat Stevens and is probably the most famous Islamic covert. He is a singer and song writer and also an educator and philanthropist. After converting, he auctioned all of his guitars away and gave the proceeds to charity. He left his music career to devote himself to charity work and educational causes in the Muslim community.

(From top left, clockwise) T-Pain, Franck Ribery, Mike Tyson, Shaquille O'Neal, Yusuf Islam, Akon.

Akon
He is an American singer-song writer , rapper record producer and philanthropist who is originally from Senegal, having been born a Muslim. His name is actually Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam and has referred to Islam in his lyrics, for example in his song “Senegal” (which you can listen to below) he says “”Everything we do is for Allah.”

Senegal by Akon (With Lyrics) – YouTube

Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson is an American boxer. He adopted the Muslim name Malik Abdul Aziz, after his conversion to the Nation of Islam. He did this to mirror the actions of his hero Muhammed Ali.

Shaquille O’Neal
He is an American NBA basketball player who plays for the Boston Celtics. O’Neal has also released four albums, starred in many films and has his own reality show. “Shaq” is a Muslim through his step father and hopes to make the holy pilgrimage of Hajj soon.

By Sara Haider and Dalia Adib

1. DUBAI’S WINTER = AUTUMN: If it’s the one thing you can only do in Dubai, then it’s going to the beach in December. Although the so called ‘winter’ in Dubai doesn’t bring any snow, it’s the one time of the year when outdoor activities don’t leave you dehydrated, raining with sweat and about to faint. Not too hot and not too cold: The Goldilocks period.

2. THE PALM, THE WORLD AND ATLANTIS: There seems to be a new building rising from each corner of Dubai every day. When the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab rose in Jumeirah, it was unbelievable! But now a new innovative idea emerges every month - from the tallest building in the world to the biggest shopping mall on Earth to an incredible water park. No need for separate holidays; visiting these places are holidays themselves.

3. BEACH: Whether it’s for an end-of-school party or just a place to tan and chill, the beach is undeniably the best place to do so. Although there are some debates about which beach is the best (I personally

prefer Jumeirah Beach Park but others will argue the case of Sunset Beach or JBR), whichever beach it is, there’s nothing better than cooling yourselves in the sea and lying in the warm sun with the breeze in your hair- or is that too poetic?

4. “THE MELTING POT OF CULTURE”: I’m sure everyone has thought about it once in a while. You’re sitting with a group of friends, either in your class, canteen or the food court at Dubai mall, when you look around and realise that you’re sitting in a racially mixed group. Ranging from Indians, East Asians to just white westerners, it’s surprising how easily we mix. Due to the blend of nations we’re exposed to, it’s hard not to mix. But because of this environment, we get to know and understand the different cultures.

5. DUBAIAN AND PROUD: The one good thing you get out of living in Dubai is the reputation of having lived in a country spurred by imagination. Just a few years ago, Dubai was an unknown place to people living in other countries, but now when you say “I live in Dubai,” the immediate reaction is a surprised face with a list of descriptions of buildings that they’ve seen on the news. You would be silently nodding and smiling, “yup, I’ve seen all those, no biggy.”

Chae Yoon Kim