The Dubai Ports World 'drama' is a Landmark Opportunity

Most businesses from the Muslim world competing in the West have had to deal with Islamophobia in some shape or form.  However, any attempts to counter this image crisis have been from a position of weakness and in a defensive mode – constantly reacting to the extremists’ actions. 

The unreasonable hoopla over DP World's acquisition of P&O, however, is a tremendous opportunity to counter the image crisis from a position of strength. Dubai embodies the strength of a modernizing economy with its top ranked airline brand Emirates flourishing; women leaders and entrepreneurs such as UAE’s Minister for Economy & Planning, Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi, breaking taboos (who is also Board member of the regions largest B2B portal Tejari.com); impressive R&D initiatives in establishing Dubai as a regional aerospace industry hub taking off, and even plans for a $265 million Spaceport for low orbit commercial space flights being approved, and on and on.

For the first time, the all powerful citizens of the US, who are mostly ignorant about any positive images from the Muslim world are getting to hear and see why working with majority of the Muslims of the world is a good thing in a war against the extremists.  What’s heartening is that some of the most influential people are making the case in support of the deal (US President Bush, Retired General Tommy Franks, Bill O’Riely, Charles Krauthammer) and in essence breaking stereotypes.

So two things – 1) I hope the powers to be in the Muslim corporate world will maximize on this opportunity for their own good,  2)  Realize that the corporate sector has tremendous influence in managing the image issues.

Comments

[Monir]

I think you're absolutely right. When you want to engender an image change you have to be watchful of what your audience is familiar with most. In this case, anything that creates the green back and also the Euro will always attract the attention of the West.

[Irfan]

While you may view it as heartening that Bush and Franks have come out to support the Ports deal, let's not confuse a quid-pro-quo accommodation with any meaningful change of public policy or opinion here in the US. I suspect had the Bush administration any inkling that they would end up in this maelstrom of negative publicity; they would have nixed the deal to begin with. What is needed in the US and other Western nations is for us all to work hard to advance the progress of local citizens of Arab and Muslim heritage to positions of influence. Perhaps then we will see meaningful change.

[Shakeel Salam]

This is an opportunity for Islamic world to prevent American/Jewish elements from taking a slice of Arab countries business interest or space. If they are worried about security, we should do the same and not allow them to encroach into our lands. "Prevention is better than cure".

[Mumby]

I think Muslim world should looking for alternative ....West never apreacite Muslim world as good as possible...so why not Muslim enterpreneur turn eyes to east region like China,Japan,Korea,India and so on.It's good as well invest in another muslim country like malaysia and Indonesia.On that way Muslim make balance between west and east.