Dont know what youve got

Till youve lost it... After a trip to Kuwait for a wedding, Im more appreciative of the UAE. Yes, we have lengths to go, but If you think we drive bad, try driving there.

If you think our government has its problems, try talking to Kuwaitis about the govment there.

Thats not to say there arent good points, but talk about culture shock.

Of the people I met, I noticed a major problems in perceptions: liberalism vs traditionalism.

Maybe Kuwaitis could prove me wrong, but their ideas of liberalism are faaar from more western than what is the norm in the ME.

G luck Kuwait, I wish you well.

Islamic Banks

Me being the curious soul that I am have decided to shun conventional banking. To make way for what is "sharia compliant"... There isnt much that is really sharia compliant is my conclusion. Alot of it is semantics, and profit exercises. The asset backed, profit/loss/ risk sharing is there in theory, its there on paper: but an islamic bank is meant to be ISLAMIC: No sukuks for sinful ventures. No SPVs to hedge (which is pretty much unislamic)

Deutsche bank: Im looking at you

But the sad part is that its the local banks here that are following: Look at balance sheets, and look for interest income (transfer of interest)... Just a quick observation, which CAN be validated. but should it be?

Food for thought