New Year in Dubai was cancelled. On December 30, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai announced that New Years in Dubai would be rung in "with a sombre tone as a token of solidarity with the Palestinian people and with the Gaza Strip in particular." In case you hadn't heard, many people have died in the Palestinian Territories from attacks by the Israeli's.
Tourist hot spot Dubai has had all New Year celebrations cancelled by ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum over the attacks in Gaza.
Hotels were trying to rearrange their plans amid confusion over the extent of the order.
It calls for Dubai to mark the New Year "with a sombre tone as a token of solidarity" with the Palestinian people and with the Gaza Strip in particular.
The manager of the four-star Arabian Courtyard said there would be no music or dancing to ring in the New Year, although the hotel's restaurants and bars will stay open.
It was unclear if other hotels would follow suit. Most said they cannot yet comment on whether the ban will affect the city's champagne dinners and raucous bar bashes.
Organisers also said they did not know if a concert by pop star Shakira in Abu Dhabi will go ahead.
Some celebrations have also been cancelled in Jordan and Egypt in solidarity with Gaza.
The Gulf News
Arabian Business
Alcohol, music, dancing, etc were all banned (at public functions anyway) and there was to be no countdown. Apparently there is a huge fireworks display every year which was also cancelled. Some of the bars and clubs still held their functions sans alcohol and music since they had sold tickets and brought in some big name celebrities but some cancelled them altogether. I believe the other emirates partied as usual.
I was invited out to a New Years house party with my boss. I was blasted with silly string, boo'd off the stage in guitar hero and forced to wear party hats "Madonna-style" (there's a whole 'nother side to my boss when he's away from the office!). We had a few drinks (which was allowed in a private residence), BBQ'd pork ribs (non-Muslim Canadian crowd) and did a count-down to the big moment with champagne. It was a nice time.
My NY Resolution is to keep the blog up to date!!! I know, I said that before and it didn't happen. My other NY resolution is to get to work on time every day. I know, I said that before too.
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