Safa Park and Illegal Immigrants

Prior to 1975, this area was "home" to many of Dubai's Illegal Immigrants.

Dubai's Plywood Cities

Dubai as it used to be relied on illegal immigrants to provide its workforce. These immigrants came primarily from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They arrived by dhow and landed somewhere along the Trucial Coast. Occasionally unscrupulous dhow Captains landed their human cargo onto offshore sandbanks, leaving them to drown as the tide rose. On the mainland, these "Illegals" may or may not have had a contact in the area to help them. Often they just made their way to Dubai in whatever way they could to find work. But they also needed somewhere to live. Over time several illegal "plywood cities" established around Dubai. One of these "Plywood Cities" developed where Safa Park is located today. In the late 1960s this area was part of the desert around Dubai.

Dubai's Illegal Immigrants

Dubai Government tolerated these "cities" because Dubai then relied on "Illegals" for the workforce. These people and the "cities" were "out of sight, out of mind" but at the same time Dubai declared illegal immigrants would be deported. Periodically Dubai Government would announce a "pardon". Those "Illegals" applying received an Identify Card that enabled them to legally work and exit the country legally but not return. Those applying had usually been away from their home country for long periods and acquired some "wealth". They also had a better idea of how to enter the country and find work. Often they became "repeat" illegal immigrants.

Save the Children Fund

Illegal immigration was not confined to single men. Families and single women also entered illegally. Consequently "Safa City" became home for a large number of children. Amenities within the "City" were non existent - one or two water standpipes, no electricity or sewage systems. They were unhealthy places to live with no access to medical facilities or services. Children were generally undernourished. Save the Children Fund established in Dubai in 1960s and conducted Feeding Programmes for these needy children. Women's Guild of the Holy Trinity Church organised volunteer Expatriate Wives onto a Feeding Schedule. STCF provided the food and the wives regularly went into Safa City to feed the children. The children knew what the schedule was and arrived, each with their bowl, to be given the food.

Safa Park

Eventually Dubai began to expand. "Safa City" was no longer out of sight, out of mind or out of town. It became a nuisance and an eyesore. Dubai Municipality wanted to develop the area. The Government issued another "pardon" for "Safa City" residents then demolished "Safa City". "Safa City" did not re-establish. People just faded away to other areas. Dubai Municipality announced a Public Park to be built in Safa. In 1975 Safa Park came into being. The area was not flat as it is today. "Safa City" had been built on a "mound". This mound was flattened to enable Safa Park to be built.

Dubai's people now enjoy picnicking in Safa Park where illegal immigrants lived on the edge of life in Dubai as it used to be.
Thought for the day!

Footnote

Dubai Cares is established as a charitable organisation to bring children's education to developing countries. Dubai Cares is partnered with Save the Children to provide education and food to children in Ethiopia.