Cito

Managed to get out of Dubai. The following is my personal opinion & experience 🇦🇪 Everything went quite seamless. Careem cabs operate normally. The airport is extremely well organized, considering the circumstances. The world has changed since Saturday and unfortunately, the country I moved to 3 years ago has been under heavy attacks. Why? No one really knows. However, I find it extremely disturbing that most media - including our beloved CT - exploits that serious situation to take cheap shots at Dubai and people who moved here. There are real families and hard working people affected. Most are scared or feel extremely uncomfortable. It's a traumatizing experience to hear missile interceptions right above your house. Nothing I wish for any human to ever experience, no matter if you pay 0% or 50% taxes. I don't even know what the link between those two things should be?? If anything, it proves that the UAE cares about their people and is able to protect its residents. Even at 0% income tax. Dubai was not known for it's strong military. It was always portrayed to be bling-bling golden steaks and influencers. But the UAE has shown the entire world that it can defend 1,000+ drones and 200+ missiles from a direct neighbor. That is impressive, whether you love or hate the UAE. Many countries would likely not be able to absorb that. So, if anything: Dubai and the UAE have demonstrated that the system works. I have lived in multiple countries around the world and the UAE is by far the most capable of handling crisis. Why did I leave Dubai then? Because it's not a situation I want to be in. Missile interceptions and drone explosions are no joke. Besides the danger that debris could hit your roof, there's an incredible intensity in the air. Most describe it as "intense calmness". While the Government managed to keep everyone from panicking, it's impossible for everyone to stay fully calm. And you can feel that in the day to day. The first night I got virtually no sleep. The night of my departure neither. I haven't left my house at all after the attacks started. But I'm out now. I really hope that leaving the country wasn't necessary, and that I will be able to come back to Dubai as soon as possible. And no, I'm not paid to say this, nor did I sign anything. Maybe part of the truth why no one who lives in Dubai has bad things to say about it is because it's one of the rare places on earth where people actually trust the Government and respect them? Not only for creating wealth and understanding business, but for caring and communicating in a way most other countries are simply incapable of. Anyways, I guess the point of this post is to 1) Tell everyone in Dubai that it's possible to leave right now. I know many people are very scared and want to get out. Be persistent with the airline if they cancel your flight and push hard to get rebooked on the next available one. And maybe choose a destination that isn't Europe, considering most of these flights are overbooked already and impossible to get on. 2) Dubai's self defense is impressive and we should acknowledge that. At least this one time, let's not derail into irrelevant discussions but show respect to the leaders + express empathy for those affected. 3) As an expat living in Dubai, I can still feel proud of my home country and do not have to choose. This isn't a black and white situation. Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and great place for Business. Other countries have better nature, social life or other things. It's also up to individual preference. 4) If you hate Dubai, yalla you don't need to live here, visit nor speak about it. Enjoy the place you live in and focus on your own. No need to feel triggered and take cheap shots at hard working people and families that are currently under heavy missile attacks. One final thing that really became clear to me this week is that after all, safety, health and living in freedom are absolutely priceless. May this all be over with soon and for sustaining peace to come in 🤲🏼

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