Public Forum On World Religions

  World's tallest tower closed a month after opening

February 9, 2010

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The world's tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after its lavish opening, disappointing tourists headed for the observation deck and casting doubt over plans to welcome its first permanent occupants in the coming weeks.

Electrical problems are at least partly to blame for the closure of the Burj Khalifa's viewing platform — the only part of the half-mile high tower open yet. But a lack of information from the spire's owner left it unclear whether the rest of the largely empty building — including dozens of elevators meant to whisk visitors to the tower's more than 160 floors — was affected by the shutdown.

The indefinite closure, which began Sunday, comes as Dubai struggles to revive its international image as a cutting-edge Arab metropolis amid nagging questions about its financial health.

The Persian Gulf city-state had hoped the 2,717-foot (828-meter) Burj Khalifa would be a major tourist draw. Dubai has promoted itself by wowing visitors with over-the-top attractions such as the Burj, which juts like a silvery needle out of the desert and can be seen from miles around.

In recent weeks, thousands of tourists have lined up for the chance to buy tickets for viewing times often days in advance that cost more than $27 apiece. Now many of those would-be visitors, such as Wayne Boyes, a tourist from near Manchester, England, must get back in line for refunds.

"It's just very disappointing," said Boyes, 40, who showed up at the Burj's entrance Monday with a ticket for an afternoon time slot only to be told the viewing platform was closed. "The tower was one of my main reasons for coming here," he said.

The precise cause of the $1.5 billion Dubai skyscraper's temporary shutdown remained unclear.

In a brief statement responding to questions, building owner Emaar Properties blamed the closure on "unexpected high traffic," but then suggested that electrical problems were also at fault.

"Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and subcontractors and the public will be informed upon completion," the company said, adding that it is "committed to the highest quality standards at Burj Khalifa."

Despite repeated requests, a spokeswoman for Emaar was unable to provide further details or rule out the possibility of foul play. Greg Sang, Emaar's director of projects and the man charged with coordinating the tower's construction, could not be reached. Construction workers at the base of the tower said they were unaware of any problems.

Power was reaching some parts of the building. Strobe lights warning aircraft flashed and a handful of floors were illuminated after nightfall.

Emaar did not say when the observation deck would reopen. Ticket sales agents were accepting bookings starting on Valentine's Day this Sunday, though one reached by The Associated Press could not confirm the building would reopen then.

Tourists affected by the closure are being offered the chance to rebook or receive refunds.

The shutdown comes at a sensitive time for Dubai. The city-state is facing a slump in tourism — which accounts for nearly a fifth of the local economy — while fending off negative publicity caused by more than $80 billion in debt it is struggling to repay.

Ervin Hladnik-Milharcic, 55, a Slovenian writer planning to visit the city for the first time this month, said he hoped the Burj would reopen soon.

"It was the one thing I really wanted to see," he said. "The tower was projected as a metaphor for Dubai. So the metaphor should work. There are no excuses."

Dubai opened the skyscraper on Jan. 4 in a blaze of fireworks televised around the world. The building had been known as the Burj Dubai during more than half a decade of construction, but the name was suddenly changed on opening night to honor the ruler of neighboring Abu Dhabi.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of seven small sheikdoms that comprise the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi hosts the federation's capital and holds most of the country's vast oil reserves. It has provided Dubai with $20 billion in emergency cash to help cover its debts.

Questions were raised about the building's readiness in the months leading up to the January opening.

The opening date had originally been expected in September, but was then pushed back until sometime before the end of 2009. The eventual opening date just after New Year's was meant to coincide with the anniversary of the Dubai ruler's ascent to power.

There were signs even that target was ambitious. The final metal and glass panels cladding the building's exterior were installed only in late September. Early visitors to the observation deck had to peer through floor-to-ceiling windows caked with dust — a sign that cleaning crews had not yet had a chance to scrub them clean.

Work is still ongoing on many of the building's other floors, including those that will house the first hotel designed by Giorgio Armani that is due to open in March. The building's base remains largely a construction zone, with entrance restricted to the viewing platform lobby in an adjacent shopping mall.

The first of some 12,000 residential tenants and office workers are supposed to move in to the building this month.

The Burj Khalifa boasts more than 160 stories. The exact number is not known.

The observation deck, which is mostly enclosed but includes an outdoor terrace bordered by guard rails, is located about two-thirds of the way up on the 124th floor. Adult tickets bought in advance cost 100 dirhams, or about $27. Visitors wanting to enter immediately can jump to the front of the line by paying 400 dirhams — about $110 apiece.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_dubai_tallest_building

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  Poteau display win not set in stone

January 21, 2010

POTEAU — The more than 200 residents who came out for the unveiling of the Ten Commandments monument at a local bank applauded when organizers said it was only the first of many to come.

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Ten Commandments monument placed at Poteau bank

Jan 20A Poteau bank is now displaying a monument of the 10 Commandments...

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Officials from Community State Bank and some who organized the campaign said the lawn is only a resting place for the monument as they await a possible Supreme Court decision on a similar one in Stigler in nearby Haskell County.

"I can assure you that when the time comes, if the Supreme Court rules in our favor, we will have a new one down at the county courthouse just like it,” said former Mayor Don Barnes, who started the effort last year.

Le Flore County commissioners in April 2009 voted unanimously to erect a monument on the courthouse grounds. They abandoned that effort in June after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled a monument in Haskell County violated the constitution’s establishment clause because it promoted a religion. Haskell County is appealing.

Barnes said he hated the decision, but didn’t want the county to be sued.

Charlie Horsley, commander of Disabled Veterans of America Chapter 63 has crusaded to find a home for the markers.

"It’s the right thing to do,” he told the crowd.

Community State Bank President Larry Spradley said bank officials decided in November to donate an area on their north lawn for the monument.

"These are values we all believe in,” he said. "If someday the county wants it, well, then we can give it to them.”

The granite tablets face north toward U.S. 59 that runs through the town. The 7-foot by 5-foot granite monument is surrounded by lights.

Horsley said he was overjoyed by the bank’s donation.

"It’s like when I found out my wife was pregnant with our firstborn son,” he said.

Horsley said he doesn’t believe the monument promotes one religion. The Preamble to the state Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance and a dedication are etched on the monument’s back side. The dedication states the commandments are "suggestions to live by” for persons of all religions and beliefs.

"I don’t want to argue about it anymore,” Horsely said. "But we are not through yet by any means.”

Horsley said about $16,000 has been donated to a fund held by the Chamber of Commerce and there are plans to erect similar markers in towns across the county.

"Wouldn’t it be nice to be known all over the state or country as the Ten Commandments capital,” Barnes said to the crowd.

Vickie Noon, 47, of Poteau, said she would prefer the monument be at the courthouse, but the message of the commandments is most important.

"We did it anyway,” she said of efforts to stop the monument from going up.

Ron Franks, a Poteau resident and retired minister, attended the dedication dressed as Moses with stone tablets. Franks, 65, said he came out to the event to make a statement.

"They (the Ten Commandments) have been a part of our civilization since the time of Moses,” he said. "People who oppose them have their right to freedom of speech and we have ours.”

During the 30-minute ceremony that included local high school students singing The Star-Spangled Banner, local residents held up signs stating "We did it anyway,” and "God bless America.”

Salem said he is not sure how long it will be until that decision is known, but oral arguments would likely not be heard before the summer if the Supreme Court accepts the case.

He said he agreed with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that the monument endorsed a religion.

The constitutionality of monuments is decided by judges on a case by case basis, he said.

"It’s a permanent monument and it speaks every day as a nature of its permanency,” Salem said.

Salem said some assume that striking down the monuments is an attack on religious beliefs.

"In fact, it is exactly the opposite,” he said. "It’s an attack on the government’s endorsement of religion.”

When political speech and religious speech are entangled, the argument can never end, he said.

The monument is still standing outside the Haskell County Courthouse as officials wait to learn whether the Supreme Court will take the case.

If they lose, the county is liable for the legal fees and court costs.

Ten Commandments displays are also on courthouse grounds in Marshall and Atoka counties.

Like the Poteau marker, a similar monument is on private property near the courthouse in Coal County.