December 18, 2010 12:35

Anonymous said...

yeah because thats what christmas is all about really, the spirit of splurging =S

December 18, 2010 15:26

Anonymous said...

its specially stupid since well the majority of the Emirati population dnt celebrate Xmas, God 3o2det el 7'awaga. We dnt see celebrations for our Ramadans and Eids in Hotels in the West.

December 18, 2010 19:01

Anonymous said...

@ above anon
thats coz its a lot harder to make an 11 mill fanous

December 18, 2010 21:58

Anonymous said...

totally crap.....
the man in galabeya passing by the tree is simply making it gross....and u can see that no one is caring, not even tourists taking pictures.....
who the hell will spend Christmas in Abu Dhabi?????

December 19, 2010 03:30

Anonymous said...

It's stupid because it's such a waste especially doing a global financial crisis. This doesn't look cool it looks like an oil rich country with nothing better to do with their money which is sad considering that people in Palestine or Iraq that are suffering could have made better use of that money. This is haram and Gaudy

December 19, 2010 18:02

Anonymous said...

@ Anon w the galabeyia problem: allah ye7am gedak, kan beyelbess eh?
Point isnt about the man w the galabeyia or the galabyia, I like it that they maintained their national dress, no like us who think its a big eww eww.

Point is its a waste and in celebration of an event that means nothing to the majority of the Emiratis and many in UAE. If I was celebrating Xmas, Id rather knw this money was donated than splashed on a tree.

Its not difficult to make a Fanous for that much money and even more but that will also be a waste in my opinion. Spend the money on education, on getting sm families out of being poor, on getting some young couples who cant afford it to get married. There are plenty of sad stories in MENA to be wasting the money like that.

December 19, 2010 20:34

Anonymous said...

Has any of you actually been to emirates palace ?
Well for those of you who dont know .... It's the 7 star version of burg el Arab but in Abu dhabi but more luxurious,

Their guests expect luxury when they go there, hence the elaborate tree,

It's not the government that did it, that came out of hotels private fund,

And aslan emirates palace does run a few charity events in. It that raises shit load of money, and i had the honor to be in two of their art auctions

So stop hating

December 20, 2010 01:21

Anonymous said...

To above anon no one is hating there are plenty of luxury hotels in the west ( in countries that celebrate xmas) and they never ever did this because there is a difference between luxury and excess This looks tasteless and very PARVENUE. It's great that they have charity  events they should highlight that because that is what the  season is about. Get a clue sometimes less really is more.

December 20, 2010 08:38

Anonymous said...

lol, allah yer7am geddi fa3lan, bass yakhsara makansh byelbes galabeya (no offense and that does not lessen those who wear it)
and in Egypt, those who think that "dressing" is what makes the person and converting from the galabeya to "jens we blousa" is WOW, people who think that a scarf covering their head will be the only reason to get them to Heaven...
people who think that a totally black 3abaya wiping all the piss and spit on streets is the "3effa wel tahara" although it's the Shi3a's dress ....
......the pictures is nothing but, as someone already mentioned parvenu and wimp, and the man in galabeya shows nothing but el FEL7 b3eino, not changing ur costume and wanting to modernize and be open at the same time is really awkward and confusing and causing some contradictory ideology............

December 21, 2010 02:16

Anonymous said...

Sebkom mel galabeya...I think some men can actually pull it off and make it look elegant. What I really don't understand is the footwear!!! Living in the UAE and traveling a lot around the Gulf, I can't help but notice the guys' feet (and no I do not have a foot fetish)...I mean really whats up with the same hideous shebsheb design that every guy is wearing? Why can't they buy shebshebs their own size? And why the hell are their feet so dirty?? I mean if you're well off and educated enough to understand the importance of personal hygiene...then wash ur feet, get a pedicure, or cover'em up for God's sake!!! Just thinking out loud...