Kiwi Expats In UAE Reassert Racial Attacks ‘not Us’

Kiwi expats in the UAE are strongly asserting the horrendous terrorist attack isn’t representative of their country.

As the world grieves for the 49 dead after the horrific Christchurch terrorist attack, Kiwi expats in the UAE and across the world are heading to social media to state unequivocally the murders are not representative of their country in any way. Widd Bonney, owner of the Dubai Facebook page Kiwis in Dubai, told local media last Friday was a ‘horrible day’ not just for New Zealanders but for decent human beings all across the world. Our prime minister, he said, got it right when she stated ‘they are us’, underlining the New Zealand way of welcoming immigrants from all world countries as well as those fleeing from war zones and persecution.

New Zealanders living and working in the UAE woke up on Friday to shock and horror as the news broke, with many believing the attack wasn’t just against Muslims but also against the enviably peaceful, friendly way of life on the islands. One told reporters New Zealanders don’t lock their doors at night, leave things in their cars and enjoy a totally safe way of life. Racial attacks, he added, are simply not ‘who we are’. Seeing the media coverage of the horror and seeing New Zealand residents of all races standing together in grief and sadness, there’s a feeling the country has lost its innocence and will never be the same again.

Another Kiwi expat working in the UAE said there’s no racism in his country, as everyone who’s resident is a New Zealander, regardless of their language, their colour, where they were born or what they believe. Now, he said, there’s a feeling that safety may not be taken for granted as the attack has struck fear into a country which has never before felt distrust.