Saja Alhareedi, a freelance casting director living in the UAE, is facing legal action after she made an offensive remark about Emirati women on social media.
Alhareedi, a Palestinian national, posted an advert on social media, seeking to recruit models for an upcoming campaign for Emirati Women’s Day.
However, in the post, she said she was looking for non-Emirati candidates due to the “lack of natural” UAE women, claiming that the majority have had surgical beauty-enhancing procedures done.
“Due to the lack of natural Emirati women, we are opening the door for other Gulf candidates and other Arab girls who look Emirati and can speak in the Emirati dialect,” Alhareedi posted on social media.
The comment triggered backlash and led to thousands of Emiratis taking to social media to demand action against Alhareedi, with many calling for her to be deported from the UAE.
Following this, the UAE National Media Authority – which is responsible for setting media policies at the federal level, and regulating and licensing the industry – suspended Alhareedi’s advertiser permit for three months.
Alhareedi is believed to be facing legal action, which could be as severe as deportation, in addition to the administrative penalty which has been announced.
Duncan Golding, a relocation and business set-up consultant, said the incident should serve as a reminder to Brits and other Western nationals that actions which aren’t illegal in their home country can carry severe consequences in the UAE.
“Insulting the UAE or its people, particularly on social media or any public forum, is likely to land expats in serious trouble,” Golding told iBusiness.News.
“Brits – tourists and expats alike – should remember that rules and laws differ abroad, and they should keep this in mind at all times to avoid facing administrative penalties or legal action.”
