A 2009 read, City of Gold (St Martins Press) by Dr Jim Krane of the Baker Institute who has a 2019 read called Energy Kingdoms (CUP) is a hidden gem on the history and social fabric of the #UAE . Brilliant book, with ears to the ground.

People who wonder why I read 100 books odd per year mostly on Middle East and Indian Ocean History- I have a book project on invisible, subaltern histories of the Khaleej and it informs my work as a social sustainability consultant.

#middleeast #sustainability

Excellent talk by Emirati Scholar and Oxford PhD Candidate @Rana_AlMutawa
on ‘Authenticity in Urban Spaces in Dubai’ at the @BarjeelArt Online Cultural Majlis hosted by @SultanAlQassemi . Urban spaces is an excellent lens to decipher layers on social life in #Dubai.

Fun Fact: Bangladeshi Migrant Workers, aka subaltern in Singapore all become Managing Directors or owners back home as can be gauged from their progression on social media. The migrant worker scenario needs to be assessed in nuance and depth rather than going by rhetoric.