Dubai ruler says aim for the top, and make time to enjoy the ride

This is a book about vision, belief and thinking beyond narrow horizons. Specifically, it is also the story of Dubai. Look beyond the blingy tourist façade of shopping malls and speculative holiday apartments and you see a tiny nation that has cleverly harnessed resources to become a major global economic hub in the space of just a few decades.

Dubai was a relatively unknown trading port until the 1950s. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the figure that catapulted it to global prominence and this short, pitchy volume sets out his philosophy.

At a personal level, Sheikh Maktoum talks about the value of simplicity. His daily routine involves waking at dawn, prayers, breakfast with family, and exercise such as horse riding in the desert, watching the deer and rabbit in the wild. Later, he calls on friends, walks the beach or goes on hunting trips. Worry and burden should be minimised where you can. Simplicity starts in the heart is his mantra.

Burning desire

Conversely, however, he talks about having a burning desire to be number one in every field of endeavour you involve yourself in. Whoever convinces himself that he is not worthy of first position has condemned himself from the start, he says.

The UAE is number one in the Middle East in terms of its infrastructure, human development, trade, technology, renewable energy, security, tourism, amongst others. Having oil clearly helped, of course, but it is interesting to note that around 50 per cent of Dubai’s revenue now comes from other sources.

Set a high goal for yourself, never doubt your ability and never underestimate your capacity is the message here.

Competition should be welcomed. The Sheikh recounts the story of how one airline that controlled around 70 per cent of the air traffic in Dubai airport wished to end the Open Skies policy that entitled any carrier to fly into the Emirate. In 1985, it threatened to withdraw from the airport within weeks if its request was not agreed to. Dubai stood up to the threat by renting two planes and creating its own airline, Emirates, now a major force in commercial aviation.

Similar tales of vision are told about the development of the Jebel Ali Port, the largest man-made port in the world, and Dubai Internet City and its associated spin-offs, now home to 4,500 companies. He also expands on the ambitious vision he has for Dubai’s World Expo in 2020.

Positive attitude

Having a positive attitude lies behind these and other successes. If you see the world around you as filled with misfortune, troubles, worries and sadness, so it will be.

On the other hand, if you see it as full of opportunity, adventure, happiness, comfort and achievement, so it will be. Positive energy turns hard times into manageable challenges. Challenges are what make us stronger, is a theme he returns to.

The Sheikh also devotes a significant section of the book to addressing the upsurge of political unrest in the region. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in the region, contrary to popular belief in the rest of the world, he notes. The fires of fanaticism cannot be extinguished by physical force alone, he argues. “Only one thing can stop a suicidal youth who is ready to die for terror: a stronger ideology that guides him onto the right path and convinces him that God created us to improve our world, not destroy it.”

Credit is due to Saudi Arabia for its success in de-radicalising many young people through counselling centres and programmes, and he says that in this battle of minds, it is thinkers and scientists of spiritual and intellectual stature among Muslims who are best placed to lead the charge.

On a practical level, another requirement is support for governments’ efforts to create stable institutions that can deliver real services to people. Problems in Syria and northern Iraq were related to government failings in addressing grievances and serious challenges and shortcomings.

He assertively rejects any notion that Dubai has benefitted from being a stable oasis in a troubled region. Dubai would be doing ever better if there was political stability throughout the Middle East, he says.

This short volume is an interesting insider perspective on the building of a modern city state and the guiding principles that lie behind it.