Creating the evil “Other”

In preparation of my doctoral thesis on discourse and intercultural education I came across the methodology of ethnographic content analysis on the one hand and a research document titled “Peering Beneath the Veil: An Ethnographic Content Analysis of Islam as Portrayed on The 700 Club Following the September 11th Attacks” by Eric Gormly on the other hand. Discourse analysis is

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Abu Dhabi stepping out of Dubai’s shadow

For years Dubai was „ahead by a nose“. Whereas Abu Dhabi still lived in permanent hibernation, Dubai equtated hard work, celebration and settting up of various records. However, „slowly but surely“ the biggest state of the United Arab Emirates built a new image. The Great Recession might have acted as some kind of midwife to let Abu Dhabi’s star rise

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A building from thousand and one nights:The Sheikh-Zayed-Grand-Mosque

A building like a dream or a fairy tale. It is impossible to think of more superlatives than this, the first impression is overwhelming. The approach alone already is special. It does not matter which of the three bridges that are leading to Abu Dhabi your are choosing to head there, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will be visible from

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Luxury’s peak: The Emirates Palace

It is big. No, it is vast. Picture from TV do not do justice to reality. It is a monster! If you are standing in front of it for the first time it throws you for a loop! Well, I mean I’ve seen quite something from the world, however the stretch of this hotel is phenomenal. At night the colour

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Camel Race

Camel Races are shown fridays on the Al-Wathba Camel Race Track. To rise with the sun, races start at around 07:30 a.m, is worth it as the little video displays. Next to a short video there are pictures of the event. More articles from the United Arab Emirates: Al-Ain Palace Museum Luxury’s Peak: Emirates Palace Visions for the future: The

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Next Stop: Abu Dhabi

The caravan moves on, the topics remain the same. Whereas Dubai is still economizing its big brother Abu Dhabi is firing on all cylinders. Last year it was the Formular-One-Circuit on Yas Island, now it’s the completion of the new Sheikh-Zayed-Mosque which is called a “magnificient building of a majestic size and oriental beauty”, newspapers like “Neuen Züricher Zeitung” (NZZ)

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No superlative – no story?

A story covering the Gulf-States without any superlative? unthinkable, unplaceable, doesn’t earn any money! A cliché? Not at all. “At full throttle through the desert” that’s the promising title of a one-hour TV documentary, broadcasted last sunday (August 15th, 2010) on “Kabel Eins”. Not fancy enough? Not really, especially as the circuit has been built close to the habour and

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Sex and the ..?

They are back: Four girl friends from downtown Manhattan, New York, the “Concrete Jungle” that Alicia Keys sings about in her soundtrack “Empire State of Mind” accompanying the movie. It comes back when the soundtrack starts: the comforting “Sex and the City”-feeling that made grey tueday nights bright blue. It comes back but it does not remain for long. Just

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Golf balls

There is more to the Gulf than the highest tower of the world, the only seven star hotel in the world or a metro that moves without a conductor. Thinking of the Gulf states is often synonymous with thinking of Dubai – the most prominent state. However, there are only a few who are aware of the fact that also

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Duell at the Gulf

Touché! Until now Dubai has beaten the pants off its brother Abu Dhabi. This time, however, Abu Dhabi won the race. The Formular One gives a guest performance this Sunday over there. With a “White spaceship in the desert the oilrich great land owner made its debut! Even if that race was irrelevant for this year’s Formular One and Abu

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