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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that no-one should go to Dubai

249 replies

Sallyingforth · 20/07/2013 14:42

while they treat women like this...

Jailed for being raped.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23381448

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 20/07/2013 15:44

Well, technically, most cities have been built by slave labour.

But I agree you couldn't pay me to go to Dubai.

squoosh · 20/07/2013 15:45

Umm, what a silly thing to say HollyBerryBush. You clearly have no clue how domestic servants in Dubai are paid or the treatment that many of them are supposed to accept.

justanuthermanicmumsday · 20/07/2013 15:48

The article mentions an alledged rape not adultery, so you cannot relate this rule about 4 witnesses to the case, since this relates to adultery, or sex outside marriage. the whole point is to prevent the woman or man from easily being lablled as an adulterer. what are the odds of 4 witnesses for this crime extremely low. in islam adultery is up there second to murder.

I find it odd that DNA evidence was not mentioned in a country like Dubai which claims to be so advanced in architecture, and wealth on show.

I've always found it odd that any practicing muslims would wish to go there but many often double it up on their way back from the haj pilgrimage to Mecca. I think that's hypocritical but to each their own. i find it a disgusting place. It's a rich mans playground and bereft of any morality, money is the language they speak. so called muslims ruling that country have sold their religion for the dollar, and compete to build the tallest buildings for notoriety, whilst their own citizens are living in slums behind these skyscrapers.citizens aren't allowd to drink but tourists and high government officials who are apparently muslim can, and cavort with women whom they're not supposed to mingle ith unless married. The double standards stink i wold never go there. Like someone said its akin to Vegas.

Parker231 · 20/07/2013 15:50

We go every year for an amazing holiday and have done so for years. The staff in most of the big hotels are well looked after now.

Shakey1500 · 20/07/2013 15:51

Isn't it true that a woman needs written permission to obtain a driving licence/drive?

shufflehopstep · 20/07/2013 15:52

You're not being unreasonable to be shocked, but it's a strict Arab state and although it's got a big tourist trade, you should learn a little bit about the culture of a place before you visit. My sister lived in the Middle East, including Dubai, for several years and when I visited her, she was very careful to tell me everything you can and can't do as a woman.

You've got to remember as well, that it isn't a democracy. The sheik is the ruler and will pass on the power to his son. Nobody is going to vote them out if they disagree with them so they can pretty much make any rules they like. They have little concept of and / or respect for our values and you need to be prepared to accept that before you go and try not to put yourself in a vulnerable position. And I'm not doing a Serena Williams with that comment before I get flamed - I know women should be allowed to get drunk and spend time with men without the fear of getting raped, but in reality, particularly in somewhere like Dubai, they can't.

Shakey1500 · 20/07/2013 15:52

*from her husband

hermioneweasley · 20/07/2013 15:54

Parker231, as long as you're having an amazing holiday, that's all that matters. Your argument has won me over completely. I'm off to book my ticket!

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/07/2013 15:55

hermione

Grin
Tee2072 · 20/07/2013 15:57

Yes, what Hermione said!

Parker231 · 20/07/2013 15:58

Hermione - have you been to Dubai, stayed in hotels there and got to know the staff or visited people who live and work there ?

Shakey1500 · 20/07/2013 15:59

Parker,what's your view on the subject from the OP? Or the appalling way they treat women? Or is it ok because of the fantastic holiday?

BlingBang · 20/07/2013 15:59

I've lived the expat life with maids etc, never heard anyone boast about it. Didn't like some attitudes but no boasting or is saying you have a maid etc now classed as boasting?

EatYourCrusts · 20/07/2013 16:00

Yanbu and I am glad that others think this way. You couldn't pay me to holiday there.

Tee2072 · 20/07/2013 16:00

Parker I don't need to do any of that to know the laws of Dubai are barbaric and they treat women like 100th class citizens.

But enjoy your holiday. I hope you don't need to report anything to the police.

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/07/2013 16:01

Someone on this thread is missing the point in a big way...

Abra1d · 20/07/2013 16:02

It has never appealed to me at all. Even in the depths of the most ghastly British weather I have never been tempted.

FreudiansSlipper · 20/07/2013 16:04

yes i have been to dubia

yes i have seen people working like slaves in the scorching heat and then have to line up to drink water from a tank that they all shared the same pipe to drink from

yes i have seen the small shanty towns these workers live in

yes i have seen how the locals treat the staff in the hotel

and i have a cousin who worked there thankfully at least in the hotels and money was sent to get her out of her contract. sadly not all migrant workers have family that can help out like this and of course they will tell you they are treated well they fear losing their job

Meglet · 20/07/2013 16:04

yanbu. There are plenty of other sun drenched countries to visit that don't have slave labour.

FreudiansSlipper · 20/07/2013 16:05

dubai ....

Heartbrokenmum73 · 20/07/2013 16:06

But Freudian did you have an amazing time? Because that's all that matters, apparently...

BlingBang · 20/07/2013 16:07

True, never been and have no real desire to go. Husband was offered the choice of a job in Dubai or another country - we swung for the other country. Husband was in a hotel bar in Dubai and one of the locals got into a argument with the European barman and leaned over and just slapped him. barman said if he wanted to keep his job he had to just put up and shut up as locals are always in the right and have carte Blanche to do as they please.

Parker231 · 20/07/2013 16:09

As a women I had more difficulties working in the US than the Middle East and more help from the police inDubai than in Copenhagen. No country is perfect and don't believe everything you read in the press !

JenaiMorris · 20/07/2013 16:10

I have friends - successful, intelligent, independent women - there who love it. When I meet up with them they praise it to the heavens but even the "good" stuff they talk about (the bling, primarily) sounds horrible. It seems like a real cultural desert to me Confused

Tee2072 · 20/07/2013 16:11

FFS! You can't be that ignorant, Parker!