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Seeing Dubai grow from desert to a bustling city
DUBAI — 'From a desert, it has become the most modern industrial, commercial and tourist attraction,' says Naheed Nafees, Chairperson of the Pakistan Association Ladies Wing while talking about Dubai and its achievements over the past years.
“I am lucky to be a witness to all the growth,” says Naheed who has been in the country since 1978.
Reflecting on the years she had spent in this country, she says: “I still remember the land that I had come to just after getting married. A vast expanse of desert with two bridges. The Trade Centre was the only highest building and a landmark of Dubai. I still remember that we were afraid of veering from the road lest we got stuck in sand.”
“But the biggest thing that struck me about Dubai was the harmony among the different nationalities” she says adding “Nowhere in the world so many nationalities live in such peace and harmony while practising their religion and following their customs peacefully.
“The credit for all this definitely goes to the rulers and their vision,” she says adding that this was also a proof of the famous Arab hospitality.
“After I settled down in the country, I realised that there were hardly any educational institutes and schools in the emirate,” says Naheed, who has also been teaching in Dubai Gems for the past 14 years. And over the years, I have seen the tremendous growth in this sector. While there were no colleges for higher education during the early years, the problem is now more than solved. There is a wide choice for everyone while “educational cities” have also been established,” she reminisces. “This is the most important sign for a developing country,” she says.
Recalling another incident, Naheed said: “In the 80s’ some of our friends were visiting from the United States. Though there was not much infrastructure then, they were still impressed,” explained Naheed.
“We had taken them to Shaikh Zayed Road, and one of our friends commented that the city was not less than Manhattan while we knew that there were only a few buildings that lined the road, while behind it was all sand,” she said.
“I have also witnessed the spur in the property market,” says Naheed. “When the government embarked on the property projects, no one was sure of the success, but everyone has been proved wrong and there is a great property boom in the emirate,” she added.
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