Dubai, a modern day Utopia?
Those of you who have been following my blog, know that I did not enjoy my time in Egypt. I identify as a modern liberal woman and I advocate strongly for women’s rights and equality. So it was with much trepidation that I visited Dubai, a similarly Muslim/Arab country. I had made a pledge (After my Egypt trip) that I would not go to any new Muslim/Arab countries without a male chaperone or partner. I had surmised that the best and safest way to enjoy these countries was to travel with a man. If you know the rebel that I am, you know that this was a large pill for me to swallow. When my partner agreed to come with me to ring in the 2024 New Year, I felt more comfortable. I also wanted to contrast the experience of being a solo black female traveler with that of being a black female traveler with male chaperone.
The advice I received from people who had previously visited the country was that Dubai was very liberal. These same people would use attire to support their argument for how liberal the place is, “You can wear anything you want! But you will need an Abaya and Hijab for religious buildings.” I elected to dress conservatively despite what I was told. My goal was to avoid rocking the boat. I observed that women do tend to dress conservatively and those who do not are clearly tourists. Also, these tourists are not chastised for being skimpily clad.
My time in Dubai was markedly different from that spent in Egypt. Simply put, I had a blast. The country has set a standard for opulence and extravagance that is inspiring. Minus some of my lingering concerns regarding women’s rights, Dubai approximates a utopia. Here are a few of the things that made Dubai amazing:
There is virtually no crime: 0.08-0.1% per year was what I was quoted for violent crime. I had the privilege of sitting beside a fraud protection specialist on my flight to Dubai and he told me that there is more blue collar crime than there is violent crime.
There are no homeless people: I did not see one person begging on the street in any city that I visited.
There is no garbage anywhere: I thought that this was uncanny as there are also very few trash cans in public spaces. Maybe people hold on to their garbage until they get home? One of my tour guides informed me that they are fined if a surveillance camera catches them with their hand outside the window, regardless of whether they toss trash or not.
There is no graffiti anywhere.
There are no potholes anywhere.
The place is remarkably diverse: every culture that I could imagine is here.
The hospitality is unmatched:
They treat everyone like royalty
There were many places that once a person uses the restroom, they clean it.
I did not eat a single meal that was subpar, the food was simply put excellent.
As much as I tried to accept the comparatively more liberal nature of the place. On multiple occasions I was met with the stark realization that culturally, the man will always come before the woman. To give you a literal example, I will recount a story. I am walking ahead of my partner. We come upon our tour guide who is slated to take my boyfriend and I on a trip. I outstretch my hand for a handshake and much to my surprise the tour guide pushes my hand and body away and greets my boyfriend—who is behind me— instead. He then returns to me for a conciliatory hand shake. I was shocked at first, then I was insulted and then I reminded myself where I was. Then I reassured myself that this was cultural.
Because I had a near perfect vacation in Dubai, I have been wrestling with the notion that perhaps the price to pay for approximating utopia is to relinquish some freedoms. Do some of us have to accept a role as second class citizens? Do we avoid anarchy by having one person or body make unanimous decisions for us as a society? I am interested to see what your thoughts are on the dangers of an absolute monarchy.
May the conversation be stimulating,
Inshallah (if Allah wills it)
