To want to go to Abu Dhabi?

[ReturnoftheWhack]

Ok.

Here's the deal. A good friend of mine is living in Abu Dhabi teaching in a primary school and living on a western compound. She wants me to go and stay with her, I'd bloody love to. Thinking of three or four days in February.

Here's the sticking point.

DH is super scared by tales of terrorism, ISIS, threats etc. Currently doesn't want me to take kids to London due to perceived danger.

What are your experiences of Abu Dhabi? Do you consider it to be a dangerous place at the moment? Anyone got some facts I can throw at him?! This isn't a case of him not allowing me to go, I'll pay for myself out of my own money...he just worries, and that comes from a good place. How harsh would I be to just go anyway? To be honest, I'm desperate for a break. I've got two kids, 2 and 5, I work full time...the idea of a kid free few days is just blissful.

[WhateverWillBe]

I wouldn't go now tbh - I wouldn't go anywhere in the Middle East atm. The GOV website says 'There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time' - specifically about the UAE. I'd be a bag of nerves if dh was going so I don't blame your dh tbh.

[user1471446905]

It will be fine. You don't exactly have to live on a compound in AD so that sounds a bit odd! I wouldn't give it a second thought and would hop on a plane tomorrow. The stuff above would equally apply to London!

[frogmore]

Terrorism can happen ANYWHERE on this planet.
Sadly this is the reality of the kind of world we live in.

[Bailey101]

I was in the Middle East earlier this year, and it was fine - lots of security in airports and international hotels and I didn't feel unsafe. The terrorist warning for the UAE on the home office website is the same as most of Western Europe.

[user1466200877]

I visited Abu Dhabi a while ago and had a wonderful time. It is clean and the folk there are very helpful. Experienced no problems. It rather seems that dreadful acts of terrorism can happen anywhere at the moment - even a threat to churches in the UK. Not sure that people are safer in this country!

[Magpiemagpie]

I was there in the summer loved it and felt extremely safe and I've been to Dubai loads of time
British Airways flys direct to AD but I prefer to fly with Emirates and get a shuttle to AD

[firawla]

I didn't think Abu Dhabi was particularly high risk. I wouldn't hesitate, go and have a lovely time! We were there last year and it was fine, and my parents spend a month or so in Dubai each year - always felt safe

[HappenedForAReisling]

I lived in the UAE for 10 years and never felt unsafe due to terrorism.

Driving was another matter though..

[apringle]

It's safer than London (but a boring construction site in my opinion) and you have to drive everywhere. I'd go elsewhere!

[KC225]

Sex and The City 2 my only experience of Abu Dhabi

[Queenbean]

I feel really funny when people say they won't come to London because of potential terrorism. I live here, along with millions of people and I feel very weird about people saying they won't come here. Not articulating it well at all but I can't really explain it.

I believe the alert quoted above is similar for many many areas. I would go, personally.

[backinthebox]

Abu Dhabi is fine. Not my cup of tea for a holiday but I took my husband and kids with me on a work trip last year and it was no trouble at all. I can think of a lot of other places I wouldn't want to go because of the risk factor, but AD isn't one of them.

[TravelFan]

I'm a frequent visitor to Abu Dhabi.
It's one of my favourite places

I feel very safe there, of course I wouldn't take any unnecessary risks, but I wouldn't in my home town or any major city either.

Go - it's a great place, excellent weather, lots to do, short journey to Dubai.

[TravelFan]

I've just read your post again.

It's the perfect place for a few child free days!

[QueenLizIII]

Sex and The City 2 my only experience of Abu Dhabi

That wasn't Abu Dhabi that was Morocco. I was there and saw them filming it

[Blondie1984]

I went in November and really liked it - never felt unsafe
And, if you think about it, surely a country like that is quite a safe place to be as a terror attack there would be like committing one in your own back yard...

[Hysterectical]

What nonsense. It's safer here than most places. There's a difference between Muslims and terrorists. Such ignorant people.should travel, it may broaden his narrow little brain.

[Hysterectical]

And there aren't Western compounds there. They aren't bloody racists. The glorious multicultural living without the undercurrents of "look how tolerant we are" uk is absolutely normal here. I live next door to an Indian family. Actually he is the Head of security. Are they about to blow us up? Should we move so we have white neighbours? This thread has fucked me right off.

[InTheDessert]

Well, the UK threat is severe, the UAE threat high. So technically, your safer in UAE!!!

Look at Ethaid to get there, and GO!!!

[ExpatHack]

I would suggest there is less threat of ISIS and related terrorism in Abu Dhabi than London. We've never had a terror attack, and the intelligence here is excellent. Come on over; you'll enjoy it.

[JoandMax]

Definitely go, I feel far far safer here than I have in European cities in the last few years.

Contrary to popular belief (mostly garnered from hysterical DM type articles) UAE is tolerant, respectful and friendly. As a woman I can drive, work, go out alone and that is no issue. We respect each others belief, respect each others celebrations and my DC have friends from all over the world. The many Muslims, local and expat, are as horrified and against ISIS and terror attacks as everyone else.

A few days of sun and relaxing sound just what you need and this is a great place to do it.

[jimjimjamming]

Abu Dhabi is far safer than London. Lived here many years, never had an incident of theft or street crime. It's an oasis of peace & tolerance in the middle east. Respect the culture by not getting pissed & shouty, don't wear over revealing clothes in public. Basically reign in the dreadful behaviour on show in UK towns every night which is now british 'culture'. Compounds are mixed, women participate & are supported in every level of society. Get beyond the 'it's just a building site' mentality & enjoy. The country is only 44 years old but has achieved so much. Whilst the rest of middle east burns, the UAE are sending a space probe to Mars in celebration of 50th anniversary! Yalla. I'm off to the pool

[neveradullmoment99]

My older ds has lived in Abu Dhabi for the last 3 years. It is safer than here. Absolutely nothing to be scared of.

[DebbieDoesDubai]

To be honest you are far, far, far more likely to get caught up in some terrorist atrocity in the UK, France or Germany than you will ever be in Abu Dhabi.

Would you think twice about traveling to any of those places?

[Hysterectical]

I flew Etihad first class last week. Do it, it's a great airline and upgrade at the checkin.