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| Gold Columns and Reflecting Pool, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE © Doug Hickok All Rights Reserved In the United Arab Emirates, the concept of wasta is well known. It is an Arabic word roughly meaning "clout" and refers to the practice of receiving favors from influential people. It is much like the saying "it is not what you know, but who you know." Recently, Becky and I were fortunate to benefit from an extraordinary dose of wasta. Her cousin and husband work for the Abu Dhabi Education Council, and were generous enough to bring us over to the UAE for two weeks on an unforgettable visit. Over the next several weeks I will share with you a collection of my photographs from our Arabian adventure. All these posts are dedicated to Debi and Dale... we can't thank you enough for your hospitality, offered in the true spirit of Bedu tradition! Pictured above is a contemplative moment at Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque, one of the world's largest and one of the few where non-Muslims are permitted to enter. Just before I took this picture the call to prayer was sung by the muezzin. It echoed throughout the majestic courtyard and into the city... a beautiful and stirring moment. |