Sheik Mohammed cancels New Year in Dubai
In contrast to the lavish celebrations welcoming 2008, the start of 2009 will be greeted by silence in Dubai. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has ordered the cancellation of all New Year’s celebrations in the emirate due to the violence in Gaza.
2009 will be noted with “a sombre tone as a token of solidarity” with the Palestinian people and the Gaza Strip, which is currently under attack by Israeli troops, in particular.
It is as yet unclear whether this applies to all New Year’s celebrations, including those in hotels and restaurants, or just large public events. Hotel and bar managers say they have, as yet, had no communication to this effect.
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