\u2018Dubai is safe\u2019
\nDubai police warns against \u2018sharing rumours\u2019 but also \u2018photographing or sharing security or critical sites\u2019
\n Dubai
\nDubai is scrambling to preserve its image as a safe haven despite Iran\u2019s onslaught, with influencers rallying behind the government\u2019s message as authorities crack down on those sharing footage of strikes.
\nFor decades, the Gulf was seen as an oasis of safety in a tumultuous Middle East, with the United Arab Emirates branding itself the safest country in the world and boasting of its very low crime rates.
\nBut that image has now been shattered.
\nIran has fired over 1,800 missiles and drones at the Emirates, more than any other country targeted by Tehran in the conflict, upending its aura of tranquillity despite its air defence intercepting a vast majority of the projectiles.
\nDubai-based influencers have showcased support for the government and invoked a sense of national belonging \u2014 hammering home the message that the country was as safe as ever.
\nKuwaiti-American reality star Ebraheem Alsamadi, known from \u201cDubai Bling\u201d, said in a video that he would stay in the UAE despite US consular advice, calling it \u201cthe safest country in the world, and nothing can change that\u201d.
\n\u201cThis has been my home for the past 16 years and I\u2019m not going to leave it in 16 seconds… I will stand by this country as it stood by me,\u201d he added.
\nAuthorities have also doubled down on their messaging as fears grow that war could do long-term damage to Dubai\u2019s reputation and its economy.
\nDubai\u2019s Instagram account shared an emotional song to its 5.8 million followers that says \u201cDubai is safe, will always be safe\u201d.
\nSafety had long been inseparable from the city\u2019s identity.
\n\u201cThose in charge of that strategy are now debating how to evolve it in the face of this obvious insecurity, but for now are deferring to their habits,\u201d said Ryan Bohl, a geopolitical analyst at Rane Network.
\nThe UAE is also, he said, \u201choping the war will be short enough that people will not associate war with the country. And one of the best ways to do so is to minimise the impact of the conflict on the UAE itself\u201d.
\nRoughly 90 per cent of people living in the UAE are foreigners, a crucial workforce for diversifying the economy away from oil towards tourism and services.
\nRetaining and attracting foreign talent remains key to that programme.
\nThe tourism sector is acutely susceptible to security issues, but \u201cdifferent tourists from different parts of the world have different risk tolerances,\u201d Bohl said.
\nTo combat further fallout, authorities have doubled down on pushing an image of normality during the war.
\nIn the early days of the war, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan walked with his massive entourage through Dubai Mall.
\nAt flagship tourist sites like Dubai Mall and JBR beach, foot traffic has reduced to a trickle as visitors have fled the country.
\nEmaar, a major real estate developer that runs famous shopping centres including Dubai Mall, has warned shops and restaurants against closing or operating at reduced hours during the war.
\n\u201cSuch actions undermine public order, create unnecessary concern and adversely affect the reputation and economic standing of the United Arab Emirates,\u201d the company said, in a note sent to the shops seen by AFP.
\nFootage of drone strikes and smoke billowing above the city has been shared widely, while fleeing tourists recounted tales of escaping Dubai under fire to international media.
\nTo avert further reputational damage, authorities moved swiftly.
\nDubai police warned against \u201csharing rumours\u201d but also \u201cphotographing or sharing security or critical sites\u201d.
\nOther Gulf countries have taken similar measures, with Qatar arresting more than 300 people.
\nThe UAE attorney general ordered the arrest and urgent trial of a number of people for publishing videos of interceptions or \u201cmisleading, fabricated content\u201d.
\nThe Emirati crackdown has sparked backlash after Western media covered the arrests.
\nThis strategy \u201cwill backfire for specific audiences, particularly Westerners and others from democracies who are used to having freedom of expression,\u201d said Bohl.
\nThis week, many companies evacuated Dubai\u2019s financial district as Iran threatened US and Israel-linked economic targets.
\nIt will be key for the UAE, and especially Dubai, which cannot rely on oil for revenue, to showcase that it is still safe for investments.
\n\u201cIf major investors, particularly in infrastructure, technology, real estate, etcetera, no longer believe that their investments are safe this would have a much more significant impact and the diversification plans of the UAE,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Dubai is safe\u2019 Dubai police warns against \u2018sharing rumours\u2019 but also \u2018photographing or sharing security or critical sites\u2019 Dubai Dubai is scrambling to preserve its image as a safe haven despite Iran\u2019s onslaught, with influencers rallying behind the government\u2019s message as authorities crack down on those sharing footage of strikes. For decades, the Gulf was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":536884,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-536851","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n