As flights across the region were cancelled and rescheduled, residents and nationals found themselves navigating uncertain routes back to the UAE. Some flew into neighbouring countries and drove across borders. Others waited out airspace closures before finally touching down in Dubai. All of them describe the same instinct: when instability hits the region, the only place they want to be is here.
For the three women Emirates Woman spoke to, the journey home was about more than just logistics. It was about safety, belonging, and a deep-seated trust in the country they call home.
‘It Already Feels Like Normal Life Again’
Sujata Assomull, a Dubai-based journalist, flew in from London to find the city operating exactly as she remembered. “The flight was smooth. The airport was operating normally and everything felt organised,” she says. She even bumped into friends on the plane—neighbours and colleagues all heading home.
Assomull has lived in the UAE for over a decade and describes Dubai as her “safe space.” She points to how the city has handled previous moments of uncertainty. “Dubai has shown an incredible ability to handle uncertainty with calm and organisation. Things continue to function, people look after one another, and there is a real focus on keeping daily life moving.”
For her, the decision to share her experience came from seeing coverage that didn’t match reality. “I saw headlines in some British newspapers suggesting people were uneasy about being in Dubai because of regional tensions. And I thought—that’s not the reality I experience. I’ve lived here for over a decade. My life is here, my friends are here, my everyday world is here, and my wider family has been in the UAE for more than 30 years. So I just wanted to share a personal perspective of what it actually feels like to return home to this city.”
Now that she’s back, the feeling is simple. “Relief, but also happiness. I’ve only been back a few hours and it already feels like normal life again. Sometimes you only realize how much a place means to you when you return to it.”
‘I Had Never Been More Proud to Be an Emirati’
Nada Al Ghurair, the Emirati founder of LIVIT, was abroad in India when the situation escalated. Watching from a distance, she found the experience deeply disquieting. “It was very unsettling being away while everything was unfolding in the region. My heart was with my family the entire time, that was truly my biggest concern.”
The anxiety was compounded by how some international outlets covered the situation. “Some of the Western media was portraying Dubai as if it was really struggling with the attacks. Watching everything from afar can make things feel even more overwhelming.”
When she finally made it back—flying into Muscat and driving across the border—she saw something else entirely. “When I finally made it back home, I saw a completely different reality. Everyone was safe, people were still going out, and life was continuing as normal. Seeing that calm and stability with my own eyes was incredibly reassuring and reminded me once again how fortunate we are to live in the UAE.”
The moment she reached the UAE border stayed with her. “By the time we reached the UAE border, the moment felt incredibly emotional. After everything that had happened, simply seeing the UAE border brought a deep sense of relief.”
Officers there offered her and her companions something to break their fast as prayer time approached. “What touched me most was the kindness of the officers there. They were beyond welcoming. It was time for prayer and we were still on the road, and they even offered us something to break our fast. It was such a simple gesture, but in that moment it meant so much. It reminded me of the warmth, generosity, and humanity that truly define the UAE.”
For Al Ghurair, returning was never a choice. “As Emiratis, the UAE is not just where we live, it is our home, our roots, and a very big part of our identity. In moments like this, the instinct is not to look for a way out, but to find a way back. Even though we could have easily flown somewhere else and waited there, for us the most important thing was to return home to the UAE. Being here, close to our country and our people, felt like the only place we truly wanted to be.” Her final reflection tied in what it really meant for her to be back. “Finally being back on UAE soil, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude, and comfort. In that moment, I had never been more proud to be an Emirati.”
‘The UAE Has a Way of Making People Feel Looked After’
Soha Taha was born in the UAE and has never known another home. When flights started cancelling, her focus narrowed to one thing—getting back to her children. “Honestly, just pure relief,” she says of the moment her flight landed. “With all the cancellations and uncertainty, all I could think about was getting back home and seeing my kids. The moment I landed, it felt like a huge weight had lifted.”
For Taha, the decision to return was immediate. “Because UAE isn’t just where I live, it’s home. It’s where I was born, where I grew up. It’s the level of safety the UAE provides. Our life is here, and in moments of uncertainty, you realize how much that sense of stability and belonging matters. Being back to the place that feels safe and familiar to us, that’s something you deeply value and want to return to.”
She also credits the government’s communication during the disruption. “Being kept informed makes a big difference and creates a real sense of reassurance. In moments like this, transparency and communication matter so much, and it made me appreciate living here even more.”
The journey back brought its own emotional moments. “The moment I realized I was heading back to the UAE, I felt so emotional. After days of being away and not knowing when I’d return, I felt such deep relief knowing I was getting back to the place that holds our life.”
For Taha, what makes the UAE worth returning to comes down to trust. “For me, it’s the trust I have in this country and its leadership. It’s the level of safety that stands out. The UAE has a way of making people feel looked after. Even during difficult situations, there’s a sense of order and reassurance that makes you appreciate being here. In uncertain moments, that kind of leadership makes you feel grateful and safe.”
Finding Gratitude in Uncertain Times
Across all three women, the same thread emerges. As Taha puts it, “The UAE has a way of making people feel looked after. Even during difficult situations, there’s a sense of order. In uncertain moments, that kind of leadership makes you feel grateful and safe.”
For Al Ghurair, being home means something deeper. “Right now, being home in the UAE means safety, belonging, and deep gratitude. It means being close to my family and surrounded by a community that feels united and resilient. Even during uncertain times in the region, the UAE continues to offer stability, peace, and a sense of reassurance. Moments like this really make you reflect on how fortunate we are, and it fills me with an immense sense of pride to call the UAE my home.”
And for Assomull, it’s a reminder of why she built her life here. “Even during uncertain times, the UAE continues to offer stability and peace. Moments like this make you reflect on how fortunate we are.”
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Images: Instagram and Cover and Feature Image: Instagram
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: emirateswoman.com
