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Oprah apologises over Dubai episode
Haneen Dajani
- Last Updated: November 18. 2009 12:32PM UAE / November 18. 2009 8:32AM GMT
Oprah Winfrey's production company has apologised after a show that featured comments about Dubai. Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press
Harpo, the production company behind The Oprah Winfrey Show, has apologised for misrepresenting Dubai in a segment of the programme featuring women around the world.
Dr Lamees Hamdan of Dubai, an Emirati mother of five and the founder of the Shiffa cosmetics brand, sparked controversy when she appeared via Skype as one of six women featured on the hugely popular US-based show.
The segment began with a voice-over by Ms Winfrey that said: “Thanks to this country’s rich oil supplies, the government provides its citizens with free water, electricity and health care. The best part? No income tax!”
Dr Hamdan said, incorrectly, that water, electricity and health services were free in the UAE. And she referred to the shela and abaya as “cultural” and not religious. She said she does not wear them, although her sisters do.
On Monday, a spokeswoman for Oprah’s production company told PageSix of the New York Post that “it was never the intention of the Oprah show to misrepresent the people of Dubai”.
Many local viewers of the show have reacted. Haif Zamzam from Abu Dhabi wrote on The National website that she was “highly disappointed that people got this worked up about what [Dr Hamdan] said. I feel she said nothing (of substance) that was wrong, except for the fact we don’t pay utility bills. Other than that, it was all spot-on.”
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Added: 11/19/09 04:51:00 PM
Dubai is a place of Wonder, Cities in desert, tallest building, island that resemble the world, sky in the desert fine roads, allot of neon display, business centre and a new view of the UAE.
Displaying Dubai anything else than a 'perfect' place is fast growing to be a taboo. I am not agreeying with Lamis, but i salute her for displaying the silent whispers of many well off citizens, and how they think of living here, however, i was disappointed by the Oprah show,as i believed that it stood on principals of telling the 'whole story', which in this case it turned a blind eye. Leaving nothing more to be admired in the show.
Cheers Dubai for the supression of 75%.
Watchdogke wachi, Land down under
Added: 11/19/09 09:39:00 AM
Um, is Oprah responsible for this controversy? Not at all! When I saw the show I began to laugh at some of Dr.Lamees's comments and knew that it would cause a backlash against Oprah. It was great to view one side of how and Emirati woman lives, however it certainly was representative of the majority of women who live here. I was surprised that Dr. Lamees' as an educated woman,did make some of those comments. Oh well, life goes on!
Chris M, Abu Dhabi
Added: 11/18/09 06:56:00 PM
I think the entire situation is really pathetic, leave it to our society to nit pick any and every opportunity they can. Hamdan did what she was expected to do. Alright she did not get her facts absolutely correct but they wanted happy society she gave them happy society. Did people honestly think she was going to rant on about injustice and socioeconomic stratification? Honestly,damned if you do damned if you don't.
Lm T, London
Added: 11/18/09 11:48:00 AM
I respect Oprah and I think she does a great job shedding light on very important social issues and raising awareness about them. Still, I believe this was a case of bad journalism as she should have gotten her facts right especially that Lamis discussed religion and culture, two very sensitive topics to a lot of people.
Yes, Lamis is a positive representation when it comes to being an educated Emirati mother and an ambitious woman with a successful career, but she stated wrong religious fact and that is extremely upsetting.
Also, there are many Emiratis out there who struggle to pay bills. Therefore this woman was not a fair or proper representation of the local people.
Hind Al Yousef, Abu Dhabi
Added: 11/18/09 10:42:00 AM
I respect Oprah and I think she does a great job shedding light on very important social issues and raising awareness about them. Still, I believe this was a case of bad journalism as she should have gotten her facts right especially that Lamis discussed religion and culture, two very sensitive topics to a lot of people.
Yes, Lamis is a positive representation when it comes to being an educated Emirati mother and an ambitious woman with a successful career, but she stated wrong religious fact and that is extremely upsetting.
Also, there are many Emiratis out there who struggle to pay bills. Therefore this woman was not a fair or proper representation of the local people.
Hind Al Yousef, Abu Dhabi