World

Dubai Ruler orders cancellation of all New Year celebrations

by craigwright76 | December 30, 2008 at 10:11 pm

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His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the cancellation of all forms of celebrations marking the New Year in Dubai emirate, as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people. In support of the Palestinians in Gaza, who are enduring all kinds of killing, destruction and displacement by the Israeli military machinery, Sheikh Mohammad instructed all concerned authorities in Dubai to put this order in place and take necessary procedures to circulate the decision to all concerned parties.

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Sanjay Jha

flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 22:44 on December 30th, 2008

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member craigwright76 who was on the scene.

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Seleam (not verified)

at 06:00 on December 31st, 2008

I know that a country like dubai CAN survive an event cacellation,lol,It sure will be effected but do u think we give a damn ?well no we don't.And for true muslems we fast that Eve of hijry year and I guess i never saw any celebration(party or concert)sayin 2moro Dj tiesto rocks the hijri new year's eve,it will never happen.so guys dont worry abt the economy.The ruler is capable of evrything financialy.And dont worry u don have to be sober this night,just buy a six packs and go to an unofficial party we all know its gonna happen and quit following the head lines,be a mature and grow up.the next day Borj el Arab will make a huge party titeled MY CUTE BABY'S BIRTHDAY,AND THEY WILL DEFINITLY COUNTDOWN to blow off the candels ,so a one day delay is nothin compaered to 50% off the tickets SAME PROG. i guess its a good decision.and guess what its only one day not both of'em so the parties will be even b4 12 or after 12 ;-)

Al5896254 (not verified)

at 07:02 on December 31st, 2008

If anyone doesn't support this decision made by H.E Shaikh Mohammad, can by all means, leave Dubai

dino vugrinec (not verified)

at 07:33 on December 31st, 2008

Hi,

i have to say the arguments have been quite amusing to read. btw as the arab league has meet today Saudi Arabia out of all countries recognises that even to a certain excent its Palestines fault. now think about it. if you got up to 80 rockets fired over by your neighbour on daily bases then you would act to. its natural. The Isralei prime minsters had wanred the Hamas on several occasions but would not listen. You have to defend yourself. The sad thing is that its not always hitting the right people. and even worth that both sides will never be able to settle there differences.

now i think the right thing to do for dubai would have been to mark these new year celebrations as a time to get togehter and reflect on the struggle. let people donate cash and actually help them rather than denying our fun. i have worked hard over the year so why cancel my fun? its not helping anyone. and to be ownest a real cancel would be alot different. jsut certain things have been hit while other night clubs are still open. and i complelty agree with the islamic new year shoudl have been cancelled. why celebrate there day and get a day of while for new years for the rest of the world needs to be cancelled.

either way i am celebrating with 30 friends at a restaurant which still serves booze but the music will be quite. and i assure your plenty of lebanese and jordanese palestines will be there!

SOLARLIFE

at 10:27 on December 31st, 2008

Great photo of tower Burj

Amy Judd

at 12:10 on December 31st, 2008

I did a version of this story due to search not working properly.. whoops, I apologize - this story was way earlier so no one flag mine.

blueskye (not verified)

at 12:29 on January 1st, 2009

i think it's a bad decision for the government. Dubai is a tourist spot and people have paved their way here to celebrate the New Year expecting that it's worth an experience. Tourism will suffer. Gaza people does not need just "sympathy", governmant of Dubai should have expressed it in a different way such as giving the Gaza people financial and medical aid. New Year celebration is a worlwide tradition, it should not be ceased.