The Shuttle April 23, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Travel Guide Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Dubai, UAE:News You Can Use

Monday, April 23, 2012Page 2 The Shuttle

Port Jebel Ali

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover

MCSN Harry GordonMCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

Port Information Port Jebel Ali was constructed in the late 1970s to supplement the facilities at Port Rashid in Dubai. The village of Jebel Ali was constructed for port workers and has a population of 300 people. Covering over 52 square miles, Port Jebel Ali is the biggest man-made harbor in the world and the biggest port in the Middle East. It is home to over 5,000 companies from 120 countries. Its deep harbor and large facilities have made it the U.S. Navy’s most-visited port. The harbor and facilities can accommodate all classes of Navy ships. Sailors and Marines frequently take liberty there and have come to call it “The Sandbox.”

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History of DubaiHistory

Dubai is the capital and largest city in the UAE, with about 45 miles of waterfront along the Persian Gulf. It contains almost all of the UAE’s population. In 2007, Dubai’s population exceeded 1.2 million people. The early settlement of Dubai was first noted in 1799. The town was dependent on Abu Dhabi until 1833, when a group of Bani Yas tribesmen left Abu Dhabi and took over Dubai. After that, Dubai grew more powerful. Dubai signed a maritime truce with Britain in 1835, and its foreign relations were controlled by Britain under the 1892 Exclusive Agreement. When the British left the Persian Gulf in 1971, Dubai became an important founding member of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike their neighbors, Dubai’s sheiks traditionally encouraged commerce and trade, and Dubai was an important port in the early 1900s. In the early years, it was known primarily for pearl exports. Foreign merchants settled there, and it became an international trade center. From 1966 until 1973, Dubai joined Qatar in establishing the riyal as a monetary unit. In 1973, the UAE adopted the current national currency, the dirham. With free trade in gold, Dubai supports a busy smuggling trade with gold ingots to India. An offshore oil field was discovered about 75 miles east of Dubai in 1966 and, by the 1970s, several huge submarine tanks holding 1.5 million barrels of oil (called the “Three Pyramids of Dubai”) had been installed on the sea floor. Combined oil income and trade have made Dubai wealthy. Today, it contains several industrial plants, and aluminum production has become an important part of the city’s economy. Port Rashid was opened in 1972, and its supertanker dry dock was finished in 1979. In the early 1980s, Port Jebel Ali was declared a free-trade zone to encourage industrial development. Many international companies soon opened facilities there. The Dubai Ports Authority took over port operations in the early 1990s. In the first years of the 21st Century, Dubai was working on several major transportation and construction projects. These include light-rail systems, a modern sports complex, island developments, and luxury hotels. Although interrupted by some labor strikes, the famous Dubai Tower became the world’s tallest building in 2007 even though it was not yet complete.

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Dubai Culture

Common CourtesyIt is advised that visitors do not flaunt their Western culture habits in the streets where they can be viewed by nationals who may find it offensive. In the past, nationals have expressed various complaints through the media. Views have been expressed by locals about their homeland being taken over by the Western world.

Having said this, it does not mean the locals are against foreigners visiting Dubai, it is just common courtesy to respect your hosts. Emiratis are traditionally known for their warm hospitality and are very generous when offering refreshments to guests.

AlcoholAlcohol is not forbidden in Dubai, as long as it is confined within an area like a hotel, bar or nightclub. Residents are free to drink in their own homes as long as they have an alcohol license. It is illegal to drink in the street or in public places.

TraditionCulture in Dubai is rooted in Islamic traditions that form the lifestyles of UAE nationals. It is highly important when tourists visit Dubai that they behave respectably and suitably, as the minority group of Emiratis are very protective of their culture and traditions.

Dubai is famously known as the entertainment capital of the Middle East and attracts many party lovers from all over the world. With Dubai promoting such an image, it still forbids the nationals that practice Islam to indulge in any of the entertaining services offered. In that respect, these services are often located in the more touristy areas rather than in residential parts.

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Dubai Culture

LanguageThe official language of the country is Arabic. However, most people communicate in English in and out of the workplace. There are many different nationalities in Dubai, but English is a common language for most people. The majority of road, shop signs, and restaurant menus, etc., are in both English and Arabic.

PhotographyNormally, tourist photography is acceptable and expected with all the beauty Dubai has to offer. Photographs of government buildings, military installations, ports and airports should not be taken. Like anywhere, it is polite to ask permission before photographing people. Do not photograph Emirati women.

Proper AttireEmiratis tend to dress in their traditional clothes, influenced by their Islamic belief. Most men prefer the traditional dishdasha or khandura (a long white shirt-dress), with ghutra (a white headdress) and agal (a rope worn to keep the ghutra in place). The Emirati women tend to wear an abaya (a long black cloak), which is worn over conservative clothes, with a sheyla or hijab (a scarf used to wrap around the face and head).

Visitors are advised to dress appropriately; trousers or a dress should be worn to cover below the knee when circulating the city, especially at historical sites. However, they can wear what they wish when in a hotel, bar or club. Swimwear is tolerated by the pool or at the beach.

Monday, April 23, 2012Page 6 The Shuttle

For the TouristLocal Religion

The most religious time of the year in Dubai is the fast of Ramadan which lasts for approximately one month. This is when Muslims fast during daylight hours to fulfil the fourth pillar of Islam. Tourists should be aware that during this period, eating, drinking and smoking is not permitted in public during the day, although some restaurants black out their windows to allow people to consume in private. Also, bars will not serve alcohol before 7pm and clubs are closed because no loud music is allowed. The UAE is tolerant and welcoming to foreigners who do not practice the religion of Islam. For example, the huge Arab population in Dubai includes many from Lebanon that can be of Christian faith. They are freely allowed to follow their own religions as long as they do not publicly distribute their literature. This also applies to any other non-Muslims. Once in the city of Dubai, you are surrounded by many mosques and the call of prayer will be heard frequently. The city also accommodates other religious places of worship, such as churches and Temples. The government follows a policy of tolerance towards non-Muslims and practicing Polytheists and interferes very little with their religious activities. Dubai is the only emirate that has Hindu temples and a Sikh gurudwara. The Meena Bazaar area of the city has both a Shiva and Krishna temple. Both are believed to be sanctioned by the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. In early 2001, ground was broken for the construction of several additional churches on a parcel of land in Jebel Ali donated by the government of Dubai for four Protestant congregations and a Catholic congregation. Construction on the first

Greek Orthodox Church in Dubai (called St. Mary’s) was completed in 2009, with the help of General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defense Minister, who donated a plot of land in Jebel Ali.

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Prohibited Activities- Public displays of affection- Talking and touching women in public- Showing the bottoms of feet or shoes- Showing shoulders and/or too much skin in public- Wearing bathing suits at places other than beach/pool- Public drinking/drunkeness- Chewing gum and/or smoking at taxi or bus stations- Carrying a weapon of any kind, including pocket knives- Participating in political or religious demonstrations.- The following are not tolerated in any way:

- spitting - gambling - pornography - public solicitation - vulgarity - selling fake goods

For the TouristCurrency

The local currency of Dubai is Arab Emirates Dirhams or AED. Tourists in Dubai can exchange their local currency or travellers cheques for Dirhams at any bank. For those who prefer cash, the best option is carrying US dollars, British pounds or Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted at ATM’s and banks.

USD AED1.00 = 3.670.27 = 1.00

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AT3 Brandon Justice from Rock Creek, Ohio, joined the Navy five years and 10 months ago for educational opportunities. Justice enjoys spending time with his wife and son, golfing, playing bass guitar and hunting. He hopes to advance in rank and earn a college degree in the future

Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd ClassBrandon F. Justice

Sailors and Marine of the Day

DCFN Bradley Shoemaker from Toledo, Ohio, joined the Navy 10 months ago because he wanted to pay for school, meet new people and travel the world. Shoemaker enjoys studying, reading and playing video games with friends. In the future, he plans to earn his warfare pins and go back to school for psychology.

Damage Controlman FiremanBradley A. Shoemaker

Lance Cpl. Larry Mitchell from Belleville, Ill., joined the Marine Corps one year ago to do something positive with his life. In his spare time, Castro enjoys learning about financial improvement plans. He hopes to join the Reserves and start a family in the future.

Lance CorporalLarry D. Mitchell Jr.

AO2 Elliot Rodriguezdiaz from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, joined the Navy three years and seven months ago to serve his country. Rodriguezdiaz enjoys spending time with his family in his spare time. He hopes to finish his degree in Business Management and be commissioned as an LDO “Gunner.”

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd ClassElliot R. Rodriguezdiaz