A few weeks back when I was still in London, I read Dubai: Gilded Cage by Syed Ali. Ali spoke of Dubai’s hyper focus on luxury tourism and oil industry for its “international PR”. One thing Dubai had missed, Ali criticized, was investing in cultural significance.
This is not to say that the UAE does not have a rich cultural history. In its efforts to attract Western tourists and expatriates through a tax-free income and a cushiony lifestyle, Dubai had overlooked broadcasting its culture and history as an attraction point for the international audience.
This lacunae is slowly being filled with the establishment of more art galleries and museums celebrating Arab culture. My recent visit to the Jameel Art Center reminded my of Ali’s prognosis that once the oil frenzy died down, the UAE would soon be looking to advance its cultural identity as a way to maintain the flow of tourism.
One of my favorite pieces at the gallery was a short film by the Palestine-based artist, Shuruq Harb, titled “The Jump”. It talked about alienation, community-building, and historical remembrance after the Israeli occupation.
For me, it was refreshing to see some political nuances in a city that usually thrives under a political vacuum.
Dubai’s slow steps towards making its culture more visible are also a means to reconnect with its rich history within the Middle East. It is not just a city with high sky-scrapers and big malls, but a city landlocked amidst historical political turmoil.
As Israel becomes an increasingly significant player in the Middle East, celebrating and broadcasting Arab culture and history will be key to maintaining the Palestinian – and Arab – identity.
Paakhi Bhatnagar 