DUBAI // British expatriates in the UAE described the bombing in Manchester as “evil” but said it would not dent the spirit of the people who call the city home.
Residents woke up to news that at least 22 people, including children, were killed and 59 wounded in an explosion at the end of the concert by singer Ariana Grande late on Monday night.
The British prime minister, Theresa May, said the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack.
In the UAE, those with relatives in the northern English city first called to check that loved ones were safe and also prayed for those who had lost family.
“It’s tragic to do this at a concert; it’s pure evil for a bomb to go off where there are children and family, it’s just the lowest of low,” said Mark Lynch, founder and chairman of the Manchester City football supporters club in Dubai.
Relieved to learn that his two young nieces did not attend the concert, his thoughts were with families at the venue.
Videos on social media showed young fans running from Manchester Arena with parents posting photos on Twitter pleading for information about their children.
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“Luckily, my young nieces, who may have gone to the concert, didn’t go but some people’s friends and relatives have and it’s terrible news,” Mr Lynch said.
“But this will just make us stronger. As Manchester, people we are quite resilient.
“Whichever part of the city you are from - red or blue - we will all be together on this one.”
Club members of Manchester City and the Manchester United Supporters’ Club UAE frequently head to the city over the weekend for games featuring their favourite teams.
British citizen Omar Othman, a founding member of the MUSC UAE, said nothing justified such an attack.
“Children and families just went out to enjoy a concert and families have lost loved ones. This must come to an end. Someone must be held accountable,” he said.
“The people carrying out such actions are sick - they cannot possibly under any circumstance justify any of this. But people will refuse to be deterred by this and that is the correct approach.
“People will still go out, go out to games and concerts because, if you do not, then they win and you can never let that happen.”
In some British schools in the UAE on Tuesday, counsellors were available for children who wanted to talk about the bombing.
“We have asked teachers not to specifically bring the subject up but to be sensitive to conversations about it. A counsellor will be on-hand if anyone is having an overly emotional reaction,” said Brendon Fulton, principal of Dubai British School.
“The children do ask lots of questions and the big talking point today is that it was an Ariana Grande concert and most kids here listen to her music.
“We try to get the balance right between not wanting to talk much about [it] because we don’t want to create a sense of fear among the younger children. But we also welcome it if children want to discuss it and provide them with the environment to be able to do so.”
The strength of several teachers from Manchester is evident, said Mr Fulton, who had previously taught in Windsor, Berkshire.
“When I heard about it early this morning, I was devastated. Our thoughts go out to all the families; we are thinking about them at this time,” he said.
“Teachers here who are from Manchester speak about the resilience of the people. They are looking forward to going home for the summer holidays and spending time with their family. They say they are not going to let something like this change their perception of home. The message is always that we don’t let acts of terror change the way we live our lives.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
