By dubailife 
Recent riots in the United Kingdom have led several UAE residents on vacation to cut their trips short and return home earlier than planned. With rising tensions and growing safety concerns, travelers are adjusting their itineraries.
UAE resident Hatim Mubarak, who witnessed the start of the riots, expressed his frustration and anxiety. Speaking to Khaleej Times, he said, “I had planned to stay in the UK for another three weeks and had meetings in Belgium. However, due to the ongoing violence and my increasing stress, I’ve decided to cancel everything and head back home to the UAE.”
A Lebanese expat who witnessed the outbreak of the Liverpool riots couldn’t initially grasp how quickly things escalated. “I was very shocked. I kept checking social media, but I was in denial until I heard that almost 300 people were rioting,” he recalled. “So I just picked up my bag and headed for the airport.”
The constant monitoring of the news and the growing sense of unease convinced Hatim that it was safer to return home.
Safety First
Aisha Dharan, a 24-year-old Emirati, arrived in the UK on July 25 with plans to explore multiple cities, including Manchester. However, following a series of violent clashes—the worst turmoil England has seen in 13 years—and a warning from the UAE embassy, her father decided to prioritize their safety and booked an early flight back to the UAE on August 4.
“We were shocked and worried when we saw the news about the riots,” Aisha told Khaleej Times. “Our original plans included a visit to Manchester as our last destination, but given the situation, we decided it was best to cut our trip short.”
The riots erupted after three young girls were killed and five more children were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. False rumors spread quickly on social media, incorrectly suggesting the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker. British authorities clarified that the actual suspect was a 17-year-old born in Wales to Rwandan parents. This led to widespread violence, including the burning of facilities for asylum seekers and attacks on mosques.
CREDIT : KHALEEJTIMES