Women-only pink taxis: A growing trend in Dubai
Women-only pink taxis: A growing trend in Dubai
A discussion of special taxicabs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that have women drivers and carry only female passengers.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
Dubai - city of progress and innovation. More hotels and office blocks are being built here than in any other city in the world. This ambitious gulf emirate has developed into a hyper-modern metropolis. And like in any other metropolis, people are always in a hurry. Dubai's fleet of taxis help ferry people from A to B.
Recently, the streets of Dubai have witnessed something quite new: taxis driven by women, for women. In Arab nations this is a very unusual sight indeed. In neighboring Saudi Arabia, for example, it's forbidden for women to drive. The taxis are instantly recognisable thanks to their colour - bright pink. Langouni Djuma is a taxi driver. She and the vast majority of Dubai's female taxi drivers are immigrants. Learning the ropes wasn't easy for this native of Kenya.
Meanwhile, business is booming. Lots of women call the taxi office especially to take advantage of their very novel product: a ride in a pink taxi. For example, women like Anina Mufadi, an advertising executive. Langouni enjoys her job, most of all because it gives her the opportunity to talk with women all day long. By now, she knows Dubai like the back of her hand. She's currently on her way to the Jumeirah Mosque. This is where faithful Muslims come to pray several times a day - even during work. Prayer is an important part of everyday life here. Islam is the state religion and many here feel that religion is the glue that holds the melting pot that is Dubai together.
Dubai - a city caught between tradition and modernity. Here, women-only taxis are a glaring pink symbol of urban progress.
Recently, the streets of Dubai have witnessed something quite new: taxis driven by women, for women. In Arab nations this is a very unusual sight indeed. In neighboring Saudi Arabia, for example, it's forbidden for women to drive. The taxis are instantly recognisable thanks to their colour - bright pink. Langouni Djuma is a taxi driver. She and the vast majority of Dubai's female taxi drivers are immigrants. Learning the ropes wasn't easy for this native of Kenya.
Meanwhile, business is booming. Lots of women call the taxi office especially to take advantage of their very novel product: a ride in a pink taxi. For example, women like Anina Mufadi, an advertising executive. Langouni enjoys her job, most of all because it gives her the opportunity to talk with women all day long. By now, she knows Dubai like the back of her hand. She's currently on her way to the Jumeirah Mosque. This is where faithful Muslims come to pray several times a day - even during work. Prayer is an important part of everyday life here. Islam is the state religion and many here feel that religion is the glue that holds the melting pot that is Dubai together.
Dubai - a city caught between tradition and modernity. Here, women-only taxis are a glaring pink symbol of urban progress.