9.16.2006

culture clash

being a dog in a muslim country is a very difficult situation, read the following and you will understand what i mean...dubai is a place where very differing cultures meet and co-habitate, dogs are allowed into the country, and many people keep pets here, especially european expats; but there is an underlying cultural factor that makes life difficult (or not as pleasant as it could be) for dogs living in dubai and the uae...
*Advice: Beware of keeping dogs in your home One of the habits that have come to us from the kuffaar (non- believers) is the custom of keeping pet dogs in the home. Many of the people in our society who are following the ways of the kuffaar bring a dog into their home.They spend money to buy the dog, although the price of a dog is haraam (according to the hadeeth narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 1/356; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3071). Then they spend money on feeding it and keeping it clean, money which they will be asked about on the Day of Resurrection. Having a dog at home has become a status symbol among many rich people and high-level employees. The dog’s saliva is naajis (unclean, impure), and the dog licks the members of the household and their vessels. If a dog licks a vessel it must be washed seven times, one of which must be with earth. How about if you realize how much reward is lost by those who keep dogs? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no member of a household where a dog is kept, but their good deeds will be reduced by one qeeraat (according to a report narrated by Muslim, by two qeeraats) every day, except in the case of a dog kept for hunting, agriculture or herding sheep.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 1489; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5321). The ban on keeping dogs does not apply to working dogs kept for agriculture, hunting or guarding homes, buildings, livestock, etc. This also includes dogs kept for necessary purposes such as pursuing criminals, sniffing out drugs, and so on, as some scholars have explained. (Al-Ta’leeq ‘ala Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Shaakir edn., 3/267). Jibreel (peace be upon him) explained to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) the reason why he could not enter his house at a time they had both agreed upon. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Jibreel came to me and said: 'I was going to come to you tonight, and nothing stopped me from entering the house you were in except the fact that there was a statue of a man in the house, and a curtain on which there were images, and there was a dog in the house. Tell someone to cut the head off the statue, so it will look like a tree; tell someone to cut up the curtain and make it into two pillows; tell someone to get the dog out of the house.’” So the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did that.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad; Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 68).
*taken from dubai e-government page
dubai is growing and ever changing, other cultures are tolerated here. there are already many veterinarians in dubai as well as businesses that cater to pets and their needs...i am optimistic that doggies will be more widely accepted and that they and their families will be accomodated eventually...a dog park is not an impossibility, it will just take a lot of convincing...

Comments:
This is unreal to those of us living in the States. I hope people there soon realize the joy that pets can bring to the family. They are God's creatures too.
 
I think that people are changing here in my loving city, Duabi, where I was born and raised in. The best thing I like about my beautiful city is its acceptance to new comers and their culture, also its rapid development. It is really changing alot.
I am a local lady who owns TWO cutie maltese. Snowy and Baby Dior. I love them to death. They live with me and my family in our home. They travel with us to Germany every summer. They are way too spoiled. (Shocking news, huh?) I do have many "local" friends who are crazy about dogs. They own dogs as well. We are locals from Dubai.

I am still a 20 years old student at university. I study business, and when I graduate and get into business; make money and stuff, I will be doing LOTS and LOTS of things for our dogs here in Dubai such as a doggie park and many other things. I know that I will be given the support from local people here, and will be allowed to do so.

so, don't worry, you will see us here realize how fun and joy can a dog give to human one day. It will happen by time....

Check on Snowy if you want to. Baby Dior is still a puppy so she doesn't have a blog yet
 
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