Dubai
Waterways
There are two major commercial ports in Dubai, Port Rashid and Port Jebel Ali. Port Jebel Ali is the world's largest
man-made harbour, the biggest port in the Middle East, and the 7th-busiest port in the world. One of the more
traditional methods of getting across Bur Dubai to Deira is by abras, small boats that ferry passengers across the
Dubai Creek, between abra stations in Bastakiya and Baniyas Road.[42] The Marine Transport Agency has also
implemented the Dubai Water Bus System. Water bus is a fully air conditioned boat service across selected
destinations across the creek. One can also avail oneself of the tourist water bus facility in Dubai. Latest addition to
the water transport system is the Water Taxi.
Culture
See also: Culture of Dubai
Further information: Culture of the United Arab Emirates
The UAE culture mainly revolves
around the religion of Islam and
traditional Arab and Bedouin culture.
In contrast, the city of Dubai is a
highly cosmopolitan society with a
diverse and vibrant culture. The
influence of Islamic and Arab culture
on its architecture, music, attire,
cuisine and lifestyle are very
prominent as well. Five times every
day, Muslims are called to prayer from
the minarets of mosques which are
scattered around the country. Since
A traditional souk in Deira
2006, the weekend has been
Friday-Saturday, as a compromise between Friday's holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of
Saturday-Sunday.
In 2005, 84% of the population of metropolitan Dubai was foreign-born, about half of them from India. The city's
cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogenous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic
groups and nationals—first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s.
Major holidays in Dubai include Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and National Day (2 December ),
which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Annual entertainment events such as the Dubai Shopping
Festival[43] (DSF) and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) attract over 4 million visitors from across the region and
generate revenues in excess of $2.7 billion.[44]
The International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the world's leading events trade association, has crowned
Dubai as IFEA World Festival and Event City, 2012 in the cities category with a population of more than one
million.
Large shopping malls in the city, such as Deira City Centre, Mirdiff City Centre, BurJuman, Mall of the Emirates,
Dubai Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall as well as traditional souks attract shoppers from the region.
Khor Dubai, or Dubai Creek in English, is one of the few places in the city where old traditions could still be seen.
Dubai Creek may become a UNESCO World Heritage Site [45] if the authorities' bid is successful. In that case, it will
earn a place among internationally famous sites such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and Stonehenge.
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