Twitter users spare a thought for Syria and ponder a power outage

What Arabic social media users were saying about the Madaya in Syria, the Yas Mall blackout and New Year's Eve in Dubai.

A blackout left Yas Mall shoppers in the dark. (Christopher Pike / The National)

The Arabic Twittersphere has expressed sympathy for the Syrian town of Madaya, where citizens are dying of hunger. Other trending topics over the past week include the electricity outage at Yas Mall and excitement about the New Year celebrations in Dubai.

Madaya is calling

Madaya is in desperate need of food supplies. Several people shared their empathy with the situation and have called for other countries to help feed the hungry.

@RevolutionSyria said: “Besieged Madaya is calling: every day we bid farewell to a martyr of hunger.”

Sami (@Paradoxy13) shared a photo of a very skinny man lying on the floor, with the caption: “This is how people die in towns besieged by Assad, like Madaya. Show me someone in Assad-controlled areas who looks like this.”

Abdurahman Harkoush (@Abduhark) tweeted: “Note that many countries are dropping tonnes of bombs across Syria but none has dropped a food basket into Madaya or other starving areas.”

Syrian Network (@snhr) shared the story of Layla Al Mawail, a Syrian woman who died from lack of food and medicine during the siege on Madaya town in Rif Dimashq on December 28.

Yas Mall in the dark

Away from the dark reality in Madaya, a power failure at Yas Mall left shops and hundreds of visitors without lights and power on Tuesday night.

Shaima (@iii98iii_) complained: “What is the matter with electricity these two days? The day before yesterday there was a power outage in Al Shamkha area and today in Yas Mall the power went off and now it’s on again.”

Reem (@riimva) shared a photo of a terrified woman with the caption: “This is how I looked when I went to the mall and found the power down.”

Khalid Abdulla (@Khalidsport7) said: “The negative side to the outage problem that there weren’t any security men to guide the shoppers or help them reach their cars. It was as if we were lost in a maze.”

However, Hamdan (@ha0md0an0) praised the maintenance team from the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, who, according to him, helped Yas Mall developers get the power back on in less than an hour.

Dubai New Year

Twitter lit up with enthusiasm and anticipation for New Year’s celebrations in Dubai. People were divided between those who were planning to attend the Burj Khalifa celebrations and those who wanted to stay at home and watch the fireworks on television.

Mohamed Ali (@masmhm) tweeted: “Start your New Year with some magic, watch Burj Khalifa & Downtown Dubai NYE 2016 Fireworks.”

Parry Wasim (@parry_wasim) showed a lot of enthusiasm: “It’s the most anticipated night of the year. Excited to watch.”

Chandana Roy (@chandanaroy24) tweeted: “I’ve yet to achieve my last year’s resolutions and today my banker tells me: ‘This New Year, surpass your own resolutions’.”

Lani Sangalang (@lalalanimae) shared her excitement and disappointment with a laughing emoticon. “Excited to witness the most-awaited fireworks in Dubai on New Year. Will see it on TV though,” she tweeted.

Amina (@ihatepeoplelmao) was also celebrating at home. “My Dubai New Year: sitting at home with two large pizzas watching Burj Khalifa fireworks from live stream. Warm and cozy, that’s how I want it.”

But Mahdi (@Arch_Mahdi) was looking forward to it. “I’m so excited to see the Burj Khalifa with world-class fireworks,” he said.

Sarah Khamis is The National’s social media editor

On Twitter: @SarahKhamisUAE