Twitter is alight today with images showing flags raised at a building, which is reportedly in Abu Dhabi, celebrating Pride, a movement that supports the LGBT+ community.

The official UKintheUAE Twitter account tweeted about June pride month this morning. The Tweet, which was shared at 8am, announces that the UK celebrates equality and the visibility of LGBT+ people and that today they are flying the rainbow flag to affirm pride in UK diversity and values of equality, inclusion and freedom.

LGBT+ activity is punishable by law here in the UAE, all acts outside of a heterosexual relationship are criminalised.

While internet reports suggest the images were taken at the British Embassy in UAE, Al Naser Street, Abu Dhabi, the location/timing of the images has not yet been verified. Lovin Dubai has reached out to the British Embassy for a clarification.

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The Tweet has caused a stir among a community where LGBT+ is criminalised

June is #PrideMonth and around the world we celebrate the equality and visibility of #LGBT+ people. Today, we are flying the rainbow flag to affirm our pride in the UK’s diversity and our values of equality, inclusion and freedom. #Pride2021 pic.twitter.com/dv3Lgl1SIV

— UKinUAE 🇬🇧🇦🇪 (@ukinuae) June 28, 2021

The British ambassador to the UAE retweeted the images to his own account

British Ambassador Patrick Moody also shared the Tweet

The Tweet has been widely shared and many comments show surprise at the disrespect shown to the UAE

You can celebrate the day you want without it contradicting the principles of the country. Please keep that in mind. We are an Islamic country and we do not support or encourage this kind of openness. –

.You can celebrate the day you want without it contradicting the principles of the country. Please keep that in mind. We are an Islamic country and we do not support or encourage this kind of openness.

— أم ناصر الفلاحي (@umnso0or) June 28, 2021

While others conveyed pride to see the message being shared on a global scale

One comment on the UK in the UAE Facebook page stated she’s proud of Embassies hoisting the Rainbow flag, a flag synonymous with the Pride movement, and for other missions globally for doing the same.