“Calling UAE Residents ‘Indians’ as an Insult”: Saudi Trolls Get a Strong Response

Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are no longer limited to diplomatic and military arenas—they have spilled over into social media, where both sides are engaging in online clashes. India has also found itself caught in the crossfire.

Saudi-UAE Rivalry Extends to Social Media

The ongoing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, driven by influence in regions such as Yemen and Sudan, has manifested online as well. Saudi social media users have targeted UAE residents, using the term “Indian” in an apparently derogatory manner. In particular, some posts have mocked the construction of the large Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

Several Saudi users have posted content aimed at insulting UAE citizens by labeling them as “Indians.” In response, UAE users have strongly defended the term, asserting that India is a friend and ally, and that being called “Indian” is not an insult.

UAE Users Respond with Pride and Respect

UAE expert Amjad Taha shared screenshots of multiple offensive posts by Saudi users, highlighting the racial slurs and negative language used against India and UAE residents. He stated:

“We want to make it clear that being called Indian is not an insult. India is a great civilization in human history, offering profound philosophy and spirituality to the world. The UAE has always moved forward with India and respects it deeply.”

Taha further emphasized that the openness of the UAE is nothing to be ashamed of, and described the racialized attacks by Saudi users as “shameful.” He added that no civilization needs to resort to insults to assert its strength; history remembers those who built and contributed, not those who mocked others.

Strong Reaction to Temple and Mosque Insults

UAE citizen Rawda Altenaiji also responded to Saudi trolls targeting the Abu Dhabi temple and mosque, writing:

“Our relationship with Indians is deeper than any derogatory comment by a Saudi user. We have a large Hindu temple, which speaks volumes. Respect and warmth go both ways, built over decades of trust and human relationships. This is stronger than any online insult.”

Such attempts by Saudi social media users to portray being Indian as derogatory could exacerbate tensions between the two countries. The use of “Indian” as an insult highlights a pattern of racial prejudice, though the matter has not yet escalated to any official diplomatic response.

Pattern of Racial Behavior by Saudi Social Media Users

According to user Khalid Hassan, Saudi social media users continue campaigns of racial abuse, often targeting Emiratis and Egyptians with terms like “Indian” and “Bangladeshi” as slurs. These attacks typically arise from disputes with people from other countries in the region and reflect broader patterns of prejudice.