The social media world was full of emotion this week with reactions to the death of 45 Emirati soldiers in Yemen. The Syrian refugee crisis was also a powerful theme running through the Arabic social media landscape. In Lebanon, residents expressed mixed reactions to a freak sandstorm that recently swept across the country.
UAE martyrs
The loss of the Emirati soldiers taking part in Saudi-led efforts to restore peace in Yemen brought Emiratis together as they sent their prayers and expressed support for soldiers who are still in the field.
Many users prayed for strength as the fight to free Yemen from Houthi rebels and restore the country’s legitimate government deepened. A flood of hashtags took over local Twitter feeds including #Protect_Our_Soldiers, #UAEMartyrs and #TheMartyrsCountry. Users also warned about spreading false information on social media.
Saif @saif_aldareei wrote: “The whole UAE is praying for you (our soldiers) and we pray that you will come back to us with victory.”
Another user tweeted: “We ask God to protect the souls of our soldiers, May God protect them and grant them victory soon.”
Another user, @aref_omar, urged caution when reading social media messages at a time of mourning. “Some news, photos or information may seem to carry positive or factual messages but if you read carefully you can sometimes find hidden messages.”
Refugee crisis
Tweets about the Syrian refugee crisis flooded Twitter after a photo of the little Syrian boy, Aylam Kurdi, found dead on a Turkish beach went viral around the world. Social media users addressed the issue, posing questions and trying to find solutions to the crisis.
User @Saifkhan_PK questioned what Britain can do for refugees and shared a photo of a Syrian family trying to get through barb wire in Europe. “If this is the best Britain can do for refugees, it’s sickening.”
Another user @CollideBerlin wrote that there was no single country to blame for the crisis. He noted that “imagining any human crisis as belonging to someone else is catastrophically misguided”.
Ghaffar @Alhaan_ shared a YouTube video showing a story of migrants in Hungary who have been forced to walk to Austria. He blamed the Arab world for the crisis. “A heartbreaking story of the migrants!”
Turkish user Mehmet @Celikmehmet0 shared an illustration of a Hungarian reporter who kicked Syrian refugees and was caught on tape doing so. “Hungarian camera-woman portrays how the European politicians trip and kick refugees.”
@diana_ana sent a prayer to the refugees: “I keep the refugees in my mind. Such a struggle for them. May God grant them safe passages to safe countries inshallah.”
Twitter user @PaolaElefante warned her followers to think about what Europe’s position says about the continent’s commitment to human rights. “Look carefully, world. Walls, newspaper pieces against refugees and unwelcoming policies: European countries are showing their true faces.”
Sandstorm
Lebanese users had a lot to say about a rare and unseasonal sandstorm that engulfed their country this week. The storm left hundreds suffering from respiratory problems although some Lebanese seem to be enjoying the unusual weather.
Christine @yallaziam wrote that she felt “like a prisoner because of this sand storm”.
One user, @DuduMsomi, shared a selfie photo and commented that “you either complain about nature and the unexpected sandstorm or you adapt. The best strategy is to just to live and love it!”
Mario @Mariomannah shared a photo of himself wearing sunglasses with a surgical mask and raised the question: “What could possibly go wrong?”
Olga @osmzn shared a photograph of Syrian refugees cleaning after the storm: “After a storm comes a calm and the time to clean the dust!”
Sarah Khamis is The National’s social media editor
skhamis@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @SarahKhamisUAE