Start up by stopping xenophobia

To be blunt, I have tried my utmost to stay aloof from business people. I think they are smart people, but they speak numbers instead of words.

Last week, I was asked to cover the Business4Change conference in Dubai, which was directed at young people who have business ideas but need help making them happen.  The word "business" never appealed to me, but I decided to take on the challenge because it is unfair to judge a conference by its title. I have wanted to start up my own business so that I could quit my job, sit at home and read my unfinished books. The only problem was that I had no idea what kind of business I wanted to start.

The conference turned out to be extremely beneficial for me.

The event focused on social enterprise, a business that trades for a social and environmental purpose. This is what I want to do. I am not sure yet of the specifics, but I want to organise a company that will help reduce xenophobia in the UAE.

The conference also encouraged young people to set up a business regardless of their age.

While interviewing people to get their opinions about the workshop and the type of enterprise they wanted to set up, one of the interviewees recalled a speaker's statement. The speaker, Soushiant Zanganehpour, a social entrepreneur at Oxford University, said:  "One needs to look at the gap in her society and work on it."

Not only did this statement affect the person I was interviewing, but it also helped me think deeply about my idea for a business, one that will help close the  gap in my society.

There are a number of Asian workers in the UAE. Many times, they are treated like animals, deprived of getting their salaries on time or getting paid sick leave. These people work day and night to make this country clean and civilised, and they are rarely appreciated. Indeed, If they had money, they would not come to our country in the first place.

In one of the well-known Arabic television programmes, Al Khawater (Thoughts), Ahmed Al Shugari discussed issues faced by Gulf Arab countries. In one of the seasons, he compared Japanese and Arab societies.

In Japan, it is shameful to call a person who cleans the places a "cleaner". Instead, Japanese society has chosen to honour these workers and give them the title "Health and Hygiene Engineers " because they are the one who ensure the cleanliness of the country. They are also well compensated for their efforts (Dh29,382 monthly).

I understand that we have over a million foreign workers, so it would be difficult to give each such huge amount of money. But salary aside, why can't we treat these workers as human beings? They are also daughters, sons, husbands and fathers of someone.  If we can't help them with money, then at least, smile and offer them a good word. Charity does not only come in the form of money; a good word is a charity as well.

Some people might argue that I am trying to make Emirati society like the Japanese in certain ways. But what is wrong with adopting good behaviour in this country? If people call it "imitating", let it be because it is a good imitation. The problem with some of us is that while we are expert in taking bad habits from other countries (for example, disturbing music and immodest dress)  we often neglect the good parts.

When I Googled the Top 10 friendliest countries in the world, I knew the UAE would not be among them. (Ireland is number one). But I do hope my country surpasses all other countries in terms of discipline, manners and treatment of others. I believe the true development of a country is not measured only in economic growth, but in having people who treat others like they want to be treated.

In 41 years, the UAE has made numerous gains, and many of us owe a lot to our country. One of my ambitions is to slowly put an end to xenophobia. I still do not know how or when, but I will, one day.

The word "Impossible" does not exist in my dictionary. That word creates a barrier between a person's dreams and her success.