You do feel very safe here. I never worried about being out alone at night, going anywhere alone, exploring remote places. However, this incident has changed that somewhat.
I do still feel safer here than in some cities/areas of the US. Here you don't have daily murders, thefts, attacks, home invasions, etc. You do feel that for the most part, you are very safe.
I didn't think this event had much impact on me. I had discussed it in detail with various friends here- I felt from the beginning that it wasn't a "random" attack due to an argument (when we first heard about it, it was reported to be the result of a man and woman arguing outside the bathroom and he followed her in). Others thought it was just an out of control argument, but one of the first reports said the perpetrator wore gloves. Thinking it was a man, I knew that if he had on gloves, it had to be planned.
Once we heard it was a woman, the gloves didn't stand out so much. You will find women here who cover up to the extent of wearing mid-bicep length gloves and the shayla- where all you can see is a slit of eye. What shocked us then was that a) it was a lady and b) it was an Emerati! Unfortunately, the dress of the most reserved Emerati provides such cover for anyone who wants to carry a weapon and do harm. The flowing robes will hide the largest of knives, or a gun (Emerati are allowed them here, but I think a knife would always be used as guns are too noisy!) And the covering of 99% of the body makes identification difficult! However, with all the security cameras, I think identification will fall on seeing what car they drive and going from there...
The Emerati people are very kind and loving here- to us Ex-Pats. Most honor us with food and presents, try to help anytime they can. For example, when we went to Oman (I know that is a different Arabic but "same same" as they say here), a gentleman noticed our caravan pulled over to the side of the road. He inquired as to where we were going and offered to lead the way. It was about 7 km in the opposite direction that he was headed but he led us all the way to where we needed to go (not an easy place to find in this winding village!) After we were parked, he told us he was headed to work! How nice! This happens often...
Yes, I am more cautious now. I probably wont use the bathrooms at malls and gas stations anymore unless an emergency. Most mall bathrooms are down a long hallways that are remote from the mall. It would be easy to isolate a person there. As we saw on the video, some malls dont have cameras in these hallways.
I didnt think it changed me at all until yesterday. I went to Bawadi Mall (nearest one to my villa) to get some groceries. When I was loading the bags into my car, an Emerati woman walked up behind me. I heard a noise and looked up and there she was. I jumped, I felt my hands go clammy and my heart began to race...I was embarrassed at my response...but I also felt vindicated due to this event. I realized she was just trying to pass by me to find her car (I had seen her looking around when I was walking to my car). It just startled me for a moment. She did smile and apologize. But as I finished loading my car, I thought, "It would be so easy to walk up, stab me and walk away." If people saw me slumped over they might just think I am loading the car. Before Iboyla's murder, this thought would have NEVER crossed my mind. This event has changed me...sadly, but for good maybe?
This happened just as the National Day holiday was starting. We were off work for almost a week. Upon return to work, some ex-pats were upset that ADEC did not send out a mass email of condolences. We get announcements from them almost daily- congratulations for a marriage, a birth; condolences for a loss. But silence here. Until yesterday, then a short message came. I think ADEC was unsure how to address it. Since our cultures are so different, maybe they were waiting to determine if they should or should not send out a message. Sunday, immediately there were messages posted on FB condemning ADEC for their silence. I am sure those sites (ADEC teacher sites but not sponsored by ADEC) are monitored and someone noticed. I don't believe that ADEC nor the Ministry didn't care, I just think they were unsure how to address it. They were as shocked and upset as we were over the whole event. The UAE, Department of Ministry, and most Emeratis are saddened, shocked, and embarrassed that this deed was carried out by one of their "own."
When I saw the video of her arrest, I was very surprised. The UAE does not like to release such things to the media, nor do they like negative, sensationalized reporting. But I think they felt such a burden on them to show the world that they ARE addressing the event, and trying to carry out justice, that they felt a need to release the SWAT team video. I am glad, it is comforting to know that they are taking immediate action.
The report from the father is so sad. I am glad the boys were not present when their mother was being attacked, the crazy woman may have killed them as well! But I imagine their horror when mom never returned to get them and when the police came to take them.
It was heartwarming to know that the Ministry, the police, and the Sheik decided to personally take care of the boys until the father arrived, and at their home. With all that those poor babies were experiencing, at least they were in the comfort of their own home, not in a strange place. These people are very caring!
I hope that justice is swift and merciless! I think it will be....
I have attached news reports and articles about Iboyla. I did not know here personally, but she was part of the ex-pat family. We mourn our loss. God bless her family...
http://m.nydailynews.com/news/world/american-teacher-slain-abu-dhabi-mall-bathroom-identified-article-1.2032348
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/woman-held-abu-dhabi-killing-american-teacher-ibolya-ryan-n261356
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/ex-husband-of-murder-victim-speaks-of-heartache
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/05/abu-dhabi-murder-american-bomb-stabbing-terror
https://www.facebook.com/FootprintsRecruiting/posts/10152896423847863
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