And the way that 900hrs is calculated is laid out in our Regulator Approved manual, and is adhered to.
I'm not saying I like it, it sucks and will hopefully be changed, but it is legal by the laws EK is subject to.
I have no idea if other UAE airlines do the same (Well, the unmentionable would be the only other one with Augmented ops), but if they presented their OMA to the GCAA with the same clause, and the GCAA approved it, their operation would be legal.
What you don't understand (well, one of the MYRIAD of things you don't understand) is that here- as in the WHOLE OF EUROPE- FTLs are a matter of individual operators having FTL schemes included in their manuals, and those manuals being approved.
As to other airlines going over 900hrs?
Well, lets start with all the Australian Airlines who are approved to go to 1000hrs, all the European ones who do likewise (and, it seems, EASA is about to make that universal) or......
All the US operators who are able to legally do 1200hrs under the FARs, on far shorter rest periods than are mandatory here (even AFTER your recent change).
Guess they're all operating illegally, huh?