Qatar has been ostracised from Gulf countries after failing to adhere to repeated requests by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt regarding its internal and foreign policy.

After one week, much has happened and changed. 

While UAE residents have been advised not to share posts sympathetic to Qatar on social media, some have continued to question the UAE’s decisions. 

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We need to support all decisions that are for GCC stability

The Gulf normally is in a unique position, in that the rulers of the countries are united in their goals for the GCC.

With less than 50 million people living in the Gulf, the region is smaller than the population of France, and so it’s important the leaders share the same vision.

This is proven through regular summits, cohesion in legislation such as the VAT implementation and collaboration on projects and international dealings.

Stand up and take notice

What KSA, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain have done, has been implemented to make Qatar know that they are serious about wanting change. 

There was an agreement made by all GCC states in 2014, and that should be followed. 

The EU and Brexit is an example of how messy things can become if countries start opting out 

This isn’t a war, it’s international diplomacy. People are comparing this situation to the Berlin blockade, this is too extreme a comparison as people starved in that situation. This is more of a boycott. 

Sometimes certain measures are required to get people (and countries) to sit up and take notice. 

How has what happened in the past week affected us

Flights

Yes this is an inconvenience for those who have booked trips with Qatar Airways, but flights are changed all the time, and in extreme and also unfortunate circumstances, tour operators go out of business, people will be refunded and alternative plans will be made.

There are many stories of people who have planned trips to their home countries for over a year and are not able to afford to rebook the flights, with some agents like Skyscanner only able to provide refunds after three months. 

However, externalities often result in a change in plan, we are adaptable individuals and will adjust.

Business

For those who are part of companies that have offices in Qatar, this shouldn’t affect UAE operations at all, as all will be local entities, however, should you travel to Qatar regularly for business, consider it a lucky break and enjoy Dubai a bit more!

It will effect some UAE companies who count on a percentage of their business coming from Qatar, but the nature of doing overseas business anywhere is that rules and regulations are subject to change. This isn’t any different than having to make adaptive decisions on a daily basis.

This isn’t about politics, economy or propaganda

It’s about safety and the future stability of the region. 

In his recent book on Happiness & Positivity, HH Sheikh Mohammed called out people of the Arab world to take positive action and look to the future. 

That is the same when it comes to being decisive. There are many other potential conflicts in the region, by not being firm with what’s on your door step, how will the UAE be able to continue to grow as a leading international nation?

It might be an uneasy and uncertain time. But if the end result of this is that the GCC resolve is stronger and there is less funding going to support terrorism, then we will all be better off.

People may accuse Lovin Dubai of taking a pro-UAE stance. Well, we do. By choice.