ABU DHABI // The UAE showed its solidarity with France on Sunday night as landmark buildings were illuminated with the red, white and blue of the tricolour.
“To have this country in the middle of the Gulf showing its compassion and proximity with the French Republic, is something we really appreciate,” said the French ambassador, Michel Miraillet.
France knew it had not only an ally in the fight against terror, but also a friend, Mr Miraillet said.
“The leadership’s support for France is not only shared by the Emirati citizens but all the population of the UAE no matter their nationality.”
After the attacks Mr Miraillet spent hours worrying about the safety of his daughter in Paris before learning she was OK, but some of his compatriots in the UAE were not so lucky.
“With almost 30,000 French expats in the Emirates we all know someone who has lost somebody or know someone who was injured.”
The French embassy has warned its citizens in the UAE to stay vigilant. The embassy and Alliance Francaise offices will be closed until tomorrow to mark the three days of national mourning in France.
European Union leaders have called for a minute’s silence today to honour the victims of Friday’s attack, which French civil servants and schools in the UAE will observe at noon.
For Seif Benelhani, 32, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for more than four years, it took a while for the magnitude of the attack to sink in after he received messages from his friends asking him if his family was OK.
Some of his friends and relatives live only a block away from the Bataclan concert hall, where 89 people died, and for more than 10 years next he lived next to the scene of the Boulevard Voltaire suicide bombing.
“When I spoke to my family and friends, I felt a mix of fear and anger – fear for the my loved ones but also the anger of feeling vulnerable and blindly targeted.
“I felt like flying back home at some point and then calmed down as I know it wouldn’t have changed much – instead I am in constant contact by phone and messages.”
Mr Benelhani was not surprised by the kind gestures toward France by the UAE, which symbolised the long standing friendship between the countries.
“I have had the chance to realise the depth of mutual respect and common views UAE and France have.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
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3Novices Europe
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