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My generation has never lived in the desert for long stretches of time but we all have our farms in the oases - Al Ain, Liwa - some big, some small. I remember several stories of desert life shared by my grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts. My paternal grandfather was a Mutawwa – a teacher of the Holy Quran - who traveled on donkey along the Gulf coast from what is now Saudi Arabia to the UAE - teaching the tribes and tiny settlements along the way. You could say he was a nomadic teacher priest. Now the Camel is an icon of desert life so how come my grandfather used the donkey as a means of transport?
That’s because not all of the Gulf region is desert; the topography widely comprises the salt flats along the coast (also known as Sabkhas), the mountains, mostly volcanic formations; the vast expanses of desert dunes and the refreshing pools of greenery - oases. Each of these landscapes has its own beauty and engendered related means of livelihood, transport, survival strategies (with their unique skill sets and mindsets) and general lifestyles. As my grandfather traveled the mountains, the donkey was a means of transportation. The camel’s feet lack the grip on rocky surfaces which the donkey has. Today we have automotive columnists debating the pros and cons of the Landrovers against the Pajeros, but our ancestors grappled with natural elements and live means of transport and figured the best deal for each terrain. I’m not surprised we possess some innate intelligence on these matters – we have to thank our ancestors for this!
The above is from my upcoming book “which I’ll share its title pretty soon” so stay tuned to know more about it, as I’ll post some updates on ask-ali portal, keep in touch to receive your free signed copy. “inshallah” …
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 Question of the Day |
Q: Can I bring my pet to the UAE?
A: Pets are allowed into the UAE. However, bear in mind that you will likely live in an apartment, so a large dog may not be comfortable. In addition, summer temperatures are often too high for pets to spend much time outdoors. If you are on a Contract for Services, it is not advisable to bring your pets with you as you will be housed in furnished accommodation which may not allow pets. The following documents are required if you are bringing your pets to the UAE:
• Good Health Certificate
• Vaccination Certificate
For more information on this click here
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