From K-Pop to the FlyDubai crash, Twitter was lively this week

Sarah Khamis has a round up of the discussion on Arabic social media this week

People pay tribute to the victims of the FlyDubai crash, at the airport in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on March 20. Maxim Romanov / EPA

Deep sorrow was evident on social media platforms such as Twitter this week. Users discussed the tragic crash of a FlyDubai plane in Russia, which claimed the lives of 62 passengers and crew. It was not all doom and gloom though. International Day of Happiness changed the tone of Twitter discussions. Users also shared their impressions and excitement for the Korean pop culture event KCON that will held in Abu Dhabi.

FlyDubai

A FlyDubai flight from Dubai crashed on approach to Russia’s Rostov-on-Don international airport last week. Aviation experts said that weather was the main cause of the crash and a sudden gust of wind probably caused the plane to miss the runway.

User @AbdulHamidAhmad shared a news link and commented: “Fly Dubai did well to focus on families and friends in the immediate aftermath of crash.”

Journalist Paula Slier @PaulaSlier_RT shared a statement from officials that said the “ airport was open and so pilots chose to land”.

User @Nassir_Etou expressed compassion to the families affected by the crash: “I would like to give my prayers and condolences to the families of the deceased.” @JavedMalik, Pakistan’s ambassador, sent his prayers: “Heartfelt condolences to the victims of Fly Dubai air crash. Thoughts and prayers.”

User @MiguelAlemanM: “My condolences to the passengers, families and friends of Fly Dubai 981. Let us pray for them.”

All about happiness

Twitter users debated International Day of Happiness, which took place on March 20. Some users asked if society needs a day of happiness while others said that it was a good chance to remind everyone to be happy, even if it just for one day.

User Heba @HebaAlSamt wrote that the International Day of Happiness “is about having inner peace and comfort”.

The UAE Ministry of Finance @MOFUAE informed their Twitter followers that “we made sure to give flowers to our employees in celebration of Happiness Day”.

The Emirates ID authority @EmiratesIDUAE followed suit, tweeting: “making our consumers happy is one of the main foundations that our company focus on when it comes to the execution of our strategic plans.”

User @Aisha_BinBishr wrote: “Happiness is a journey not a stage, start your journey today.”

User @Nour_albloushi argued that we did not need a day for happiness. “We don’t a day for happiness because we are living happily everyday under the umbrella of our leaders who persevere to make their people happy.”

Yousif @ybafaraj said that it was “correct we don’t need a day for happiness, but we occasionally need to remind those who forget the fundamentals of being happy”.

Shuroq @ShrouqShoo noted where she find happiness: “No matter how many different interpretations we have of happiness, my mother will always be the main reason behind my happiness.”

User @bo_mbark questioned the meaning of happiness and posted a graphic that said “happiness does not mean to live a complete life but it means that you stop focusing on what you don’t have and focus on the blessings of what you have”.

KCON Abu Dhabi

The International Korean culture exhibition will be making its first debut in Abu Dhabi and that news made waves on Twitter. Fans of K-pop shared their plans for the event, which will be held at the du Arena on Yas Island on March 25.

Sara @saitill sent a request to Snapchat hoping there would be a special hashtag: “@Snapchat @snapchatsupport can we please have a KCON Abu Dhabi live tomorrow?”

User @AnGel_PrestiGe was stressed about the show: “I can’t focus at work, Kcon Kcon!!”

User @iDiablo_ complained: “I wanted Bo’s signature but she left quickly while Ji Won spoke to us and bowed for us.”

User @PINKIELFMALZ shared a photo of her gift to her favourite star: “My little gift for Kyuhyun oppa. Hope he’ll receive this! So excited to hear his voice.”

On Twitter: @SarahKhamisUAE