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Arabi Kursi, A Cultural Gem Lost in the Sands of Time
By Neha Mirchandani

As an MBA student, one is educated to always examine, always check out and never ever escape an excellent challenge. I was recently confronted with one such difficulty; to find and study a place called 'Arabi Kursi'.

Being new to Dubai and having no knowledge of the topic, I started by doing some initial checking out. But as it ended up, none of the local residents I approached had a hint concerning this place, and remarkably, also mighty Google could not think of any kind of results! Suspecting being sent out on a wild goose chase, I approached my teacher that gave me one unclear idea: I would certainly locate my location in our around the Gold Souk in Deira - Dubai's older and far less renowned part of town.

So, equipped with just a note pad, a hint, and a fistful of curiosity, I went out to the city searching for the evasive 'Arabi Kursi'. Right from my friendly cabby who reacted to 'Arabi Kursi' with a damaging of the head, to the collection of consumers at the Gold Souk who gave me varied styles of skeptical looks, no person might provide me instructions to this place. Forty 5 minutes of walking in circles later on, I lastly met one carpet vendor that recognized the name, and gave me clear guidelines to the place.

On approaching the site- I started to comprehend why they call it 'Arabi Kursi'. It is fairly literally merely a rectangular setup of Irani-style benches in the middle of a hectic purchasing street, and I began to ask myself why I was sent all the way right here to study a collection of seemingly ordinary-looking chairs. I hung around and began talking to local store owners until I became familiarized with a local Arab that invited me to rest and chat over a cup of sweet Irani tea.

Ismail was when a beneficiary to an affluent pearl vendor. He had an august air about him that commanded respect, and one couldn't help yet really feel humbled in his visibility. The conversation that followed opened my eyes regarding pre-oil Dubai and carried me to an age when that really industry was when a flourishing center of global trade and business.

With a sparkle of fond memories in his eyes Ismail recollected concerning the days of his youth, and the prosperity of his community. He spoke about exactly how the 'Arabi Kursi' these days was when a center of trade for pearl merchants who would bring their products completely from Japan, and offer them to investors from India, Iran, Africa and Europe. Buyers, investors and dealers alike would certainly set up at this website and haggle for competitive rates for several of the finest pearls worldwide.

He after that went on to telling me regarding the discovery of oil in 1966, which entirely reinvented business in Dubai, resulting in the death of all other less-fortunate organisations including those of pearls, jewels and spices. The exploration of oil additionally brought with it tremendous wealth for Arabs who after that concerned 'Arabi Kursi', not to trade pearls, yet to speak about business and build their networks over a cup of Irani chai. Lots of crucial administrative choices that established young Dubai and many essential business deals that formed the city's economic climate were made in those really chairs.

' Arabi Kursi' was a center of business, trade and governance for many years, until the introduction of the 80's which brought with it architectural modernization and skyscrapers. With time, the effective and prominent frequenters of 'Arabi Kursi' removaled their events to the offices and meeting room of posh company workplaces, making the 'Arabi Kursi' these days absolutely nothing greater than a traveler destination.

For me, this little journey was virtually like a trip through time that taught me so much concerning Dubai's background and its deeply-rooted Arabic society. It is terrible how a place of such historical relevance has been neglected and outweighed by the modern structures and innovation of new Dubai. It was so odd to me, how also local residents were unaware of its presence, and a place of such historic value had no instructions or signboards leading up to it! Besides a nominal fund from the district of Dubai to maintain the chairs, nothing is being done to offer 'Arabi Kursi' the importance that it should have.

Arabi Kursi's identification is closely connected with the great fabric of Arabic high-society of the yesteryears, and continuouslies live in the hearts and minds of those who have experienced the wide range and success it brought to the residents of old Dubai. It is my hope and desire that the Government of Dubai will quickly figure in reviving the identity of this heritage site, and bring the tale of 'Arabi Kursi' to all those who wish to discover. http://nehamirchandani.wordpress.com/

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