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UK expats in UAE speak out on Manchester terrorist bombing
| Published: | 24 May at 6 PM |
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British expats living and working in the Gulf States are appalled and saddened by the news of the devastating Manchester terrorism attack.
The suicide bomb attack is being considered by many to be the worst of the many terror attacks in the UK, simply because of the number of deaths and the fact that the British-born bomber deliberately aimed at a venue packed with children and youngsters aged between five and 18 years of age, many of whom were attending the pop concert with their parents or grandparents. Police reports have confirmed that 22 people including children have died and a further 59 have been injured by the explosion and its deadly package of small metal objects.
Yesterday, the Islamist terror group Daesh (Isis) claimed responsibility, saying that ‘one of the caliphate’s soldiers placed bombs amongst the crowds' and adding more attacks were to follow. However, security experts believe groups such as Isis are admitting to every attack in the hope that it will attract more followers. World leaders have expressed solidarity with Manchester and the UK as well as with all those suffering or grieving due to the bomb.
In Brussels, EU flags hung at half mast outside the group’s headquarters, and the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a message emphasising its unwavering stance against all forms of terrorism wherever they occur. British expats living and working in the emirates are stunned and grieving, with many wondering how the home country can manage to heal after such a devastating, deliberately aimed attack.
Briton Anthony Burke, leader of a 24,000-strong community group based in the UAE, believes the terrorists are winning, saying there is no way to deny that the chosen targets were young children and their parents. He adds the world is pointing its finger at the majority, when it’s the minority who have evil thoughts about cleansing the world. Steve Watt, a Brit expat working in Dubai, told the media he’d been saddened and shocked to see the death and devastation in Manchester, adding the big question now is how this barbaric, evil behaviour can be stopped.
My main reaction, he said, is one of heartbreak that this could have happened in my country, adding his thoughts were with the families struggling to come to terms with the death of a loved one. Other Brits wondered if the bombing would have an effect of the result of Britain’s June 8 general election, the first chance for British citizens to make their views known since last June’s Brexit referendum.
Peter Harrison, also living in Dubai, told the media that attacking an audience crammed with young girls was despicable. He’s hoping the tragedy won’t be used by politicians to further their chances of winning the election, but fears many Brits who are already prejudiced against other cultural groups will be impacted by the terror attack.
The suicide bomb attack is being considered by many to be the worst of the many terror attacks in the UK, simply because of the number of deaths and the fact that the British-born bomber deliberately aimed at a venue packed with children and youngsters aged between five and 18 years of age, many of whom were attending the pop concert with their parents or grandparents. Police reports have confirmed that 22 people including children have died and a further 59 have been injured by the explosion and its deadly package of small metal objects.
Yesterday, the Islamist terror group Daesh (Isis) claimed responsibility, saying that ‘one of the caliphate’s soldiers placed bombs amongst the crowds' and adding more attacks were to follow. However, security experts believe groups such as Isis are admitting to every attack in the hope that it will attract more followers. World leaders have expressed solidarity with Manchester and the UK as well as with all those suffering or grieving due to the bomb.
In Brussels, EU flags hung at half mast outside the group’s headquarters, and the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a message emphasising its unwavering stance against all forms of terrorism wherever they occur. British expats living and working in the emirates are stunned and grieving, with many wondering how the home country can manage to heal after such a devastating, deliberately aimed attack.
Briton Anthony Burke, leader of a 24,000-strong community group based in the UAE, believes the terrorists are winning, saying there is no way to deny that the chosen targets were young children and their parents. He adds the world is pointing its finger at the majority, when it’s the minority who have evil thoughts about cleansing the world. Steve Watt, a Brit expat working in Dubai, told the media he’d been saddened and shocked to see the death and devastation in Manchester, adding the big question now is how this barbaric, evil behaviour can be stopped.
My main reaction, he said, is one of heartbreak that this could have happened in my country, adding his thoughts were with the families struggling to come to terms with the death of a loved one. Other Brits wondered if the bombing would have an effect of the result of Britain’s June 8 general election, the first chance for British citizens to make their views known since last June’s Brexit referendum.
Peter Harrison, also living in Dubai, told the media that attacking an audience crammed with young girls was despicable. He’s hoping the tragedy won’t be used by politicians to further their chances of winning the election, but fears many Brits who are already prejudiced against other cultural groups will be impacted by the terror attack.
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