A $1.5 billion Atlantis hotel will open tomorrow on Dubai's palm tree-shaped island. The lavish digs include: dolphins flown 30 hours from the South Pacific, a $25,000 a night suite, an open-air tank with 65,000 fish, stingrays, and other sea creatures, and 16 restaurants.
Compared to the rest of the Arab world, where Islamic faith is gaining significance in the lives of youth, residents of Dubai can choose to worship more modern wonders like nightclubs and casual girlfriends. Religion has become a personal choice, rather than a collective identity, according to a recent New York Times profile.
Young workers explain that Dubai, an Islamic state, allows Muslims to embrace a religious life if they choose, while also achieving career advancement and lifestyle comforts. Still others are confused, saying that the contradicting culture — "you can have prostitutes, but don't get caught with a woman" — takes time to get used to.
Perhaps economic growth could mean a new way of life in the Middle East.
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Bi La Li
why does it all have to be decorated so tacky?
1Haha, I think it's awesome, that second photo makes me feel like I'm in Atlantis! Ariel would be proud.
2Nothin like capturing a bunch of wild dolphins and introducing them to a completely foreign ecosystem...
3"Religion has become a personal choice, rather than a collective identity"
As it should be. This is encouraging.
This article reminds me of Ahmed Ahmed's joke about going to Dubai: he describes men in Speedos on the beach, along with women in hijab, and streets with mosques on one side and blaring nightclubs on the other. It all sounds very vibrant and confusing
4i'm going to continue to be overly impressed with Dubai - and how the country is still managing to attract soo many people amid the fear and 'ignorance' of a large portion of the world. people who categorize all muslims as bad are going to miss out. i'm really impressed with how quickly the country has developed.
a few months ago i saw this documentary about how they are creating islands that are shaped like the countries in the world and you can 'buy a country' if you have the money to purchase an island. that's really creative and i can't wait to see if/when they pull it off!
5Dubai also has the world's only seven-star hotel.
6ilanac13, yeah, it's AMAZING how much a country can get done with slave labor.
7My parents are visiting Dubai next month, I've begged them to take me. I'll report back...
8Hey, it would be great to hear a Sugar's firsthand experience there! Take lots of pictures
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