Comments for

Comment on Tracing the history of my country by Haseeb Haroon

Haseeb Haroon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:14:19 +0000

Brilliant piece although too succinct – would certainly have enjoyed an elaborate account of it.

Comment on Zanzibari Fever by Ravi Bansal

Ravi Bansal — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:49:54 +0000

Wow this is wonderful. It is very inspiring work and I know alot of Duke students would probably like to get involved, if it is alright could I send this article their way?

Comment on Zanzibari Fever by PK Gulati

PK Gulati — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:30:35 +0000

Muna, exceptional work. There is so much to do in educating the next generation that such inspiring efforts should be highlighted to get more to get involved -like Aisha was able to get you involved.. There is a small initiative that i am doing with a few friends from Google on getting a sustainable teachers’ training program going – so that we can create teachers who are ready, willing and available in the local community.

Kudos on your work!! Keep us posted…

Comment on Employment conundrum by Ahmed Al Hashemi

Ahmed Al Hashemi — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:24:23 +0000

I think a good solution to this issue is to provide part-time labor, and especially for teens. Teens from the age of 14 or 15 should be encouraged to find part time jobs, not only for money, but also to teach them responsibility. They can be employed as cashiers, hotel valets or bell staff, waiters, etc. When they’ve been given a chance to experience these ‘menial’ jobs first hand, they will no doubt change their opinions. They will learn that there is no shame in an honest living, and that sooner or later, these low paying jobs will have to be filled by Emiratis.

Comment on Profile by Saeed Khan

Saeed Khan — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:35:16 +0000

Appointed as Chairwoman of Young Arab Leaders in the UAE, you are truly a inspiring individual who is not only contributing to the UAE but other parts of world such as setting up a school in Zanzibar.

I was recently in London attending the Viking Johnson Distributor Conference 2011 where about 82 people from 42 countries attended the conference. I had the opportunity to distribute PRISM to all of them. Some were quite impressed with the size of ESAG. You may receive some feedback from them directly.

You deserve to be considered a role model.

Comment on Zanzibari Fever by ABADHAR

ABADHAR — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 07:52:20 +0000

thanks ms muna for help us and all society of Bwejuu village

Comment on Employment conundrum by Ankur Shah

Ankur Shah — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:17:33 +0000

Hi Muna,
Terrific article. We have similar problems in India, much to my own surprise. Many unskilled youth (and their families) have skewed expectations toward entry level retail or other jobs which are oriented toward manual labour rather than a desk job. On further probing it turns out that government hand outs (Indian govt pays $50-100/month for doing nothing as part of ‘rural employment’ scheme) have actually increased the expectation of people to go directly to a higher paying job without the interim step of hard work.

So, I wonder what role the uae govt has in itself creating skewed expectations. Is there a link between govt handouts/subsidies and low motivation to work or take jobs that people consider ‘beneath them’? if so, is a possible solution to actually phase out subsidies, or as clinton did in the mid-90s, connect them to working?

Would be fascinating to explore this question of social expectations beyond role of the media, it will undoubtedly take at least 10 years to create role models, and change perceptions.

Comment on Spend first, ask questions later by Cynical

Cynical — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:47:52 +0000

Yes, true – but who says that this is out of debt – this is out of Daddy’s pocket – You’ve pointed out the solution in your blog – teach them by practice and when they are young. Don’t buy a Dh. 3000 Abaya or a Dh. 45000 watch every month – even if you do (as you can afford it, I dont see anything wrong with that), let the young one following your steps know the worth by preserving it.

Here’s a small incident – I hired an Indonesian maid and 3 weeks after landing she said she didn’t want to work with us – I inquired why? she said she had expected ours to be a rich house, where the madam of the house would frequently give her unworn but out of fashion (last season) clothes, bags and shoes – things that were her lure to the job and more dear to her than monthly 1200 Dh salary she contracted.

We had to let her go, as for me last season is 3 years (not 3 months)…..

Comment on Profile by Shalin

Shalin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:53:30 +0000

Wow! Must say I am pleasantly surprised. My Dad had updated me on your accomplishments…you must be proud of yourself! I am glad to see that you are achieving your dreams!

Comment on Spend first, ask questions later by Jay

Jay — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:19:18 +0000

I think the last sentence says it all – if “everyone” shared these values. And that is the real problem as you highlighted. The peer pressure creates a juxtaposition between values – between social value and perceived standing, and allowing a wiser philosophy to be dominant at the expense of rejection. The problem of peer pressure is even deeper than many think; people wish to be part of a class, a group, and that is even before friendship has come into it… Marketers know this. There is no substitute for strong parenting (non aggressive), whereby the children are made to feel that they know the balance and therefore the value of material possessions and relationships. And guess who already has a child like that?

Well written Muna, I look forward to the next one.