Dubai nursery dismisses online rumours over Dubai Mall safety

Chubby Cheeks Nursery has dismissed rumours that it would be cancelling its upcoming events at Dubai Mall for 'security reasons'.

DUBAI // A Dubai nursery has dismissed rumours that it would be cancelling its upcoming events at Dubai Mall for “security reasons”.

A picture of a note, purporting to be from Chubby Cheeks Nursery, was widely shared online on Monday. The note, bearing the nursery’s logo, stated: “The UAE government has issued a warning to avoid crowded malls and places in Dubai closure to Martyr’s Day & National Day [sic]. The Dubai Mall event is cancelled for the security and safety reasons.”

Later on Monday the nursery posted a response to concerns from parents and the community on its Facebook page, stating: “The note circulating regarding cancellation of The Dubai Mall event due to UAE Government warning has not been authorised by Chubby Cheeks Nursery Senior Management and Marketing/Communications team. We will be going ahead with our fun and safe field trips to The Dubai Mall. We confirm that no official Government warning has been issued. We request everyone to refrain from spreading rumours that are not validated. Looking forward to a pleasant and safe holiday in the UAE.”

Dubai Mall also denied any cancellations had been made.

“The events are happening as scheduled. It is just a rumour,” said a member from Dubai Mall management, who asked not to be named.

The source added that the mall will not be releasing an official statement denying the rumour: “It is not something that we are actually speaking about because it did not come out from us.”

One social media user who fell victim to the rumour vowed to “never spread any news received on social media again”.

“I saw it in a WhatsApp group for mothers. The woman just posted and she did not comment on it, and then immediately she sent the denial,” said Fatima Amer, a 31-year-old Emirati mother.

“By the time she sent the denial I had believed it.”

Not all users were convinced with the statement of denial it seemed.

“Many poeple’s reaction was that ‘it is probably true because they have the logo of Chubby Cheeks and who would be bothered to edit and fake it’.”

“The rumour is very ridiculous and confusing and I would rather not think about it,” Ms Amer said. “Such rumours will affect people’s emotions and it could spread everywhere and cause fear over something that did not exist to begin with.”