First I'd like to congratulate my Emarati brothers and sisters on their achievement. Something to be proud of indeed. and about the money? it's their money and their entitled to do whatever they do with it as long as it's within "7agg allah" since they're Muslims.
And about all the give it to the poor thing? Look, Saudi Arabia and UAE have NEVER ever not donated when needed. Even some months, here in Saudi at least, the money spent abroad is more than the money spent inside and I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case in the UAE.
Again, you didn't get the point. You seem to be adding random comments in every post you write. I am not talking about your backyard...

We are talking about the UAE government, stay on topic.
Yes, I am obsessed with Art, Khalid. And since you are speaking with such an open mind, then I will too and we will end this conversation once and for all. Art is something the Khaleejis will never understand save for a few until they open education institutes for it like they have around the world. Have a good day, sir.
Art? for all I know in Jeddah it's more appreciated than anywhere else in Saudi and I'm happy for the progress that's happening there. I attended at least 5 photogallaries and 2 paintings galaries. Music? I know personally in my close circle of friends two guitarists in two different bands (though some might not consider rock as music) and 3-4 pianists and a violinist. Just wait for the government to unban concerts and you'll see what's gonna happen there. If a concerto not assembled within 3-5 years call me an idiot.
Imagine for a moment if Saudi Arabia was as open minded as the States. Would you say that more people would be envious of Saudi Arabia now ? Especially the other Arab countries ?
see, any Saudi who'd read my previous part of the post would call me crazy!!
Open-mindset in Saudi? dude hell would freeze over first!! I can't even imagine it!!!!! sad to say though
Really, what do people envy "Arab Khaleeji's" for?
Superior education, superior health care systems, superior universities, superior infrastructure, etc?
Ya, exactly, the things that really matter we don't really have them. But we do have high buildings, big fountains and a couple of man made islands.
I think we should be more realistic about ourselves, the only difference between gulf countries and other third world countries, is that somebody dug a hole here and found a liquid they call oil.
Also, the fact that you're better off than other Arab countries is not really much of an achievment is it? Its not like the other Arabs are any good. As sad as i am to admit this.
I guess only few picked cities in the gulf!! Dubai, AbuDhabi and Riyadh to start with. You've seen what happened in Jeddah two months ago

.. And the only three cities in Saudi that are better off are (Riyadh, Dhahran-Dammam-Khobar multicity and Madina) Allahomma 9alli o sallim 3ala 9a7ibha.
I know Khalid, that adds insult to injury.. Sad but true
First of all, I'm talking about how Khaleejis are envied by other countries in the Middle-East not the West.
As I replied to Fred, I'm not talking about all Arabs. I'm talking about Khaleejis, they are the ones who are envied by others for their money. Yes, Khaleeji governments, just like all other arab countries, are corrupted of course. However, Khaleejis live much better than most other Arab nations and for that, they're hated and stereotyped. It's so obvious. I'm not saying Khaleejis are angels and faultless, but envy, my friend, is a disgusting sin.
But, again, I hate generalization. Not all arabs. I have a lot of arab friends from Lebanon, Jordan/Palestine, Egypt and Libya.
With all due respect, but with the actions we see from our compatriots I shall say we wrought such envy on ourselves. I hate it .. I absolutely do but it doesn't take more than a walk in Knightsbridge in August to know what I'm talking about..
The shame the brought to us!!
Nevertheless though, I will try to fight these stereotypes whenever I can and I will be proud of my nation and religion all the time.
بلادي و إن جارت علي عزيزة.. و أهلي و إن ضنوا علي كرام
and that's the bottom line!
I'm not really proud of everything that happens in Saudi or other Gulf countries, but I being judged by my nationality so often is what makes me conclude that those people are just envious.
They're envious indeed and I don't contradict myself here. We're both at fault here. I hate it when someone shows up and tells come on you're Saudi you have all the money you want. Hey, all my family, friends and everyone in my social circle work hard for that money and nothing comes as a perk!! and Hell, there a lot of people who live under harsh conditions we can never imagine in an oil-rich country!!
who's at fault? not me nor you indeed .. but let's just keep it at that!!
Arabs uniting into one nation...that's when I would be envious. Nothing more, nothing less.
If that happens.. I think, then and only then, people have the right to envy us!
Just reading their constitutions makes me think of the Soviet Union, something which I do not agree with.
They seem like good guys, too bad no one took the movement seriously.
Baath party? good guys? would like to explain.. I fail to see how would they any good for us!