Sacha Robehmed - openDemocracy

Helping the domestic helper

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have now agreed to a minimum wage for domestic work.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 8 Oct 2012

Surf safely!

With such tech savvy, demographically very young populations, policing the internet will always be a losing battle. Instead, we should be encouraging online engagement as a source of diverse opinion.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 23 Sep 2012

Dubai: a contemporary identity

Somewhere along the way, journalistic portrayals of Dubai changed drastically. From regional success story to cautionary tale of the Middle East. And yet, Dubai has begun to develop a contemporary culture.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 10 Sep 2012

Christianity in the Gulf

The Gulf countries are so frequently lumped together, in regional analysis and through their own GCC union. However, I am occasionally reminded about the vast differences between them.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 13 Aug 2012

Ramadan, Dubai style

The way to ‘respect’ Ramadan is not only to abide by rules on public eating during daylight hours, but also to partake in the occasion — swapping drinks at the bar for an Iftar buffet.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 29 Jul 2012

Startup Weekend Beirut

The revolution was the graveyard of the old way of doing business, which depended mainly on personal connections, corruption, and government inefficiency.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 15 Jul 2012

Emirates Identity Cards

Residents are wondering why they so urgently need them. Parents are particularly questioning this, objecting that children under 15 are required to register, although they can’t drive, register vehicles, or pay water and electricity bills.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 2 Jul 2012

Why all the fuss over Fujairah?

Behind the sabre rattling, analysts should not overlook growing relationships between the emirates and Asian countries.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 20 Jun 2012

Dubai’s competing halves

Key to attracting tourists and business is Dubai’s cultivated perception as ‘westernised’, compared to other Middle Eastern cities. Yet this must sit alongside Emirati values

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 7 Jun 2012

Return to Dubai

What never ceases to amaze me is Dubai’s resilience. Back in 2009, building projects had visibly ground to a halt. People were leaving. Debts were mounting.

By Sacha Robehmed

/ 21 May 2012