Saif al-Arab
BANNED
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- Mar 26, 2015
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No, just no.
One of the best things about the United Arab Emirates is that it has one of the freest and most open economies in the world. I hope it stays that way. The UAE shouldn't put any restrictions on any nationality. It's the most meritocratic country in the Arab World, as well as the least discriminatory. These are the qualities that have made the UAE one of the most globalized, economically free, and well respected countries in the world.
I don't want the Emiratis to ruin their country's achievements just for the sake of lowering the number of Iranian expats in cities like Dubai.
And besides, the vast majority of Iranians in the UAE hate the Islamic Republic regime and are pro-Western. The UAE is benefiting greatly from these foreign nationalities, from both an economic and scientific point of view.
Also, the UAE has an excellent surveillance system in the region, second to none. The Emiratis also have some of the largest databases in the Middle East. The UAE is becoming a "smart nation". My point is, the Emiratis have nothing to worry about. They live in one of the safest countries in the world, so there's really no need for them to discriminate against certain foreign nationalities since that would simply backfire on their economy in the long term.
We are not discussing normal expats regardless of whether they are fellow Arabs or non-Arab expats. We are talking specifically about the bad apples and what to do with them. Obviously no country on the planet, let alone in this region, will allow foreigners in concision with a few traitorous locals, to act against the interests of the nation. Like we have seen a few times in Kuwait. Many of the Iranian nationals are Iranian Arabs. It's not about nationality. Fellow Arabs with proven track-records of supporting/voicing support for extremist groups (whatever their sect) are also a danger and they are equally monitored as they should be.
Nobody is going to discriminate. This is not Iran. Especially not if they (Iranian expats) and trade relations with Iran are hugely in favor (trade balance) of the UAE as they have been for decades. Similarly with all other GCC states.
However there should be a limit to the hospitality even if it is economically beneficial. Security comes before everything else especially in challenging times like the ones that we are going through.