Page 28 | Meant to be moving to Dubai in 4 weeks

Medesres · 2026-03-01T15:42:26+00:00

We've been planning a move to Dubai for a while now. Dh's work has an office out there and it seemed like great opportunity to live abroad and experience sth different. I've got a couple of friends out there already too who love the lifestyle. Watching the news for the past 24 hours and I'm really starting to question things. I had no idea how close to Iran it was and who knows what might happen next. Part of me is hoping it will all be resolved soon but hard to believe. My friend who already lives there has spent the night sleeping in one room with her dh and kids scared of all the missile noises.

luckylavender · 01/03/2026 18:05

loislovesstewie · 01/03/2026 15:51

Another one who can't believe that you had no idea where it it in the world. I wouldn't be surprised if no one can go to Dubai for some time. Unless Iran capitulates, a provisional government takes over which isn't a theocracy, I can only imagine this will rumble on for quite a while.

There is a 40 day mourning period isn’t there? Can’t imagine a new government being formed quickly.

Wellthisisdifficult · 01/03/2026 18:05

Jerys · 01/03/2026 18:01

Yes it is illegal. Follow the laws. I don't think people have been executed for it though.

Show quote history

And those laws are draconian! They ignore the equality of gay people, they treat gay people as less than. That is not progressive. The death penalty is permissible under sharia law for homosexual activity. Don’t try and defend it. Dubais human rights are terrible by western standards

Cardomomle · 01/03/2026 18:03

There was a thread on here with people saying how much they hated Reform, and where they'd move to if they got in. Without a hint of irony, several said "Dubai" !
😂

Wellthisisdifficult · 01/03/2026 18:03

TheGrimSmile · 01/03/2026 18:01

I can't believe how politically and socially unaware some people are. This is why we need to get young people into universities. It's terrifying.

I’d say we need to change the lies people are being fed at university we’ve a major issue with young people championing the Islamic Middle Eastern regimes, largely being fed through universities

Jerys · 01/03/2026 18:01

Notsosweetcaroline · 01/03/2026 17:38

and they punish you if you do; please try not to downplay it.

Show quote history

Yes it is illegal. Follow the laws. I don't think people have been executed for it though.

Wellthisisdifficult · 01/03/2026 18:01

I honestly can’t believe what I’ve read on this thread “ the house help is treated very well” you can like the same gender (like it’s a choice) but you can’t act on it - I mean ffs!!!! This is not progress -it’s regression! And what happens if you act on it??? That should tell us how progressive the regime is! (Clue anywhere from 6 months in prison to the death penalty)

TheGrimSmile · 01/03/2026 18:01

I can't believe how politically and socially unaware some people are. This is why we need to get young people into universities. It's terrifying.

Ooihuko · 01/03/2026 18:01

HandfulOfMoths · 01/03/2026 15:47

It’s hard to be objective because I’d hate to live there anyway. What I would say is the situation is not going to be resolved quickly. The whole region is destabilised. YABU to not have known what countries surround where you are emigrating TBH.

Yeh geographically but I am surprised the UAE got involved this quickly.

Sweden is nearer to Russia, would it stop you going there.

Given this news, I wouldn't move to dubai, the political situation has shifted

DurinsBane · 01/03/2026 18:00

Medesres · 01/03/2026 16:01

I'd looked up DH new office on Google maps and places we were thinking of living. Looked at nearby things on Google and landmarks, just hadn't zoomed out that far to see everything else. I knew Iran was nearby but I just wasnt thinking about that as no idea there would be war. People will laugh but it just wasn't my first thought, I was more concerned about neighbourhoods/ supermarkets etc

Show quote history

When you visited it before making the decision to move your family there, did you fly over Iran?

Donttellempike · 01/03/2026 17:59

Wellthisisdifficult · 01/03/2026 17:54

Ironically, the reason most want to adapt the human rights laws here is through fear of letting in too many people who come from countries with no human rights and bring that attitude here.

I don’t think people in the west want rid of human rights, they want to stop the abuse of our human rights laws

Show quote history

Well Farage and his band of ghouls is keen to get rid of human rights so the billionaires can stamp on the faces of ordinary people with complete impunity.

MabelMarple · 01/03/2026 17:58

I doubt this is real but at a stretch I could understand someone not researching a place before a holiday. However if I planned to actually emigrate I would first go and stay a few times, find out about the politics, customs and laws of the country and if I couldn't already find it on a map I would do so. DH would say "don't they teach geography at school" but I know they don't teach this kind of thing because we had to teach our own DC.

Wellthisisdifficult · 01/03/2026 17:54

SerendipityJane · 01/03/2026 17:51

Well remember there is a supposed serious desire for people in the UK to throw of the shackles of human rights, so I guess they aren't that big a deal. Not when you think of the cup holders.

Show quote history

Ironically, the reason most want to adapt the human rights laws here is through fear of letting in too many people who come from countries with no human rights and bring that attitude here.

I don’t think people in the west want rid of human rights, they want to stop the abuse of our human rights laws

Whitengold · 01/03/2026 17:53

Jerys · 01/03/2026 17:35

The UAE is actively seeking to improve things and have implemented labour reforms. I stayed with family there not too long ago and their house help is treated very well. They've got the wage protection system now and even the US State Department agrees the UAE is striving to make improvements.

We have human trafficking here as well.

You can like the same gender, just according to UAE laws and customs they ask you not to act upon it.

Show quote history

Ah Ok. You can be gay, so long as you dont act gay. Can you hear yourself?

Whitengold · 01/03/2026 17:51

LakieLady · 01/03/2026 17:46

I've been rather disappointed by the number of posters who appear to be totally unconcerned about human rights when it comes to deciding whether or not to move overseas, tbh.

Show quote history

There are a large number of domestic voters who'd like to see the back of human rights...obviously it would never affect them, but others shouldn't be allowed to have them, especially if it's going to cost anyone money.

VickyEadieofThigh · 01/03/2026 17:51

Jerys · 01/03/2026 17:35

The UAE is actively seeking to improve things and have implemented labour reforms. I stayed with family there not too long ago and their house help is treated very well. They've got the wage protection system now and even the US State Department agrees the UAE is striving to make improvements.

We have human trafficking here as well.

You can like the same gender, just according to UAE laws and customs they ask you not to act upon it.

Show quote history

As a woman in a lesbian relationship, I need you to consider just how "reasonable" that attitude to gay people is.

nutella8 · 01/03/2026 17:51

Stay here Op, I’m sure DH employer will not be forcing him to relocate under current conditions. Foreign Office advice is not to travel. Sit tight for a couple of months and then reassess.

sanityisamyth · 01/03/2026 17:51

You didn’t look at a map before agreeing to it? Aside from the horrific treatment of women in the Middle East, it would have needed careful research beforehand!

SerendipityJane · 01/03/2026 17:51

LakieLady · 01/03/2026 17:46

I've been rather disappointed by the number of posters who appear to be totally unconcerned about human rights when it comes to deciding whether or not to move overseas, tbh.

Show quote history

Well remember there is a supposed serious desire for people in the UK to throw of the shackles of human rights, so I guess they aren't that big a deal. Not when you think of the cup holders.

SauvignonBlanche · 01/03/2026 17:51

Medesres · 01/03/2026 16:01

I'd looked up DH new office on Google maps and places we were thinking of living. Looked at nearby things on Google and landmarks, just hadn't zoomed out that far to see everything else. I knew Iran was nearby but I just wasnt thinking about that as no idea there would be war. People will laugh but it just wasn't my first thought, I was more concerned about neighbourhoods/ supermarkets etc

Show quote history

I’m not laughing, it’s too depressing and all too familiar an attitude.

I tried to avoid spending an hour there but couldn’t get a direct flight to where I was going.

This is why…

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/report-united-arab-emirates/

Human rights in United Arab Emirates

Stay up to date on the state of human rights in United Arab Emirates with the latest research, campaigns and education material from Amnesty International.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/report-united-arab-emirates/

Wellthisisdifficult · 01/03/2026 17:50

WonderingWanda · 01/03/2026 16:46

As a geographer I despair. Here's a quick run down for you. The Arabian peninsular is a massive dessert with loads of oil. The result are some glitzy energy and water guzzling cities that are totally unstainable and continuing to fuel these oil producing regimes and ultimately the demise of our climate.

Then there's the fact that most ME countries are authoritarian regimes with terrible track records for human rights abuses and in particular with concern to women and homosexuals. Not to mention the political instability in the region....Arab Spring, Syria, Iran, Iraq.

Have I put you off yet?

I honestly think people just don’t get the issues, and it’s not situation that’s improving. I don’t understand whether it’s wilful ignorance, misrepresentation in the media or just a general lack of education but these Middle Eastern countries have appalling human rights records, women’s rights are terrible and if crime is lower it’s because punishments are medieval by western standards.

Lararoft · 01/03/2026 17:49

Just to let ppl know that a border crossing from or to Saudi probably isn’t possible now if it ever was as Saudi has now been also hit by Iranian missiles & is considering retaliation.

Kindling1970 · 01/03/2026 17:49

Medesres · 01/03/2026 15:53

I knew it was in middle east Gulf and obviously Iran is in that area too but I hadn't studied the map in great detail until today.

The problem is Dubai and parts of the middle east have been really glamorised now so everyone wants to move there. Then something like this happens and you get a reality check

Dh going to speak to his work tomorrow. I'm sure they wouldn't send him if it escalates

Show quote history

You’ve reflected well. Privileged westerners want the fancy lifestyle while closing their eyes to what it is like for people from Dubai to live there and how hard it is being female/gay etc. but let’s close our eyes and sit by the pool and go to massive shopping malls.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 01/03/2026 17:49

Sounds like you did lots of research…

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 01/03/2026 17:49

LakieLady · 01/03/2026 17:46

I've been rather disappointed by the number of posters who appear to be totally unconcerned about human rights when it comes to deciding whether or not to move overseas, tbh.

Show quote history

Oh I’m concerned about human rights. One reason I wouldn’t move eg to China.

Cardomomle · 01/03/2026 17:48

LakieLady · 01/03/2026 17:46

I've been rather disappointed by the number of posters who appear to be totally unconcerned about human rights when it comes to deciding whether or not to move overseas, tbh.

Show quote history

They think it's not going to affect them.