Nada Z.
21.3K posts

Nada Z.
@NadaZain
Human | Writer | Semi-Geek | MBA | Foodie | Crazy Cat Lady in the making



They spent years showing off their Dubai lifestyle. The moment it got dangerous, they abandoned the one thing that loved them unconditionally. After Iranian missile strikes hit the UAE in early March 2026, thousands of expats rushed to leave Dubai. But as flights filled, a quieter crisis unfolded: hundreds of pets were abandoned. Dogs were found tied to lamp posts, left in empty apartments, or dumped near shelters already at capacity. Rescue volunteers reported being overwhelmed. One said she received 27 messages in a single day from owners asking her to take their animals. Vets were flooded with requests to euthanize pets whose owners couldn't or wouldn't take them. Rescue groups like K9 Friends Dubai and War Paws called the situation heartbreaking, especially in one of the wealthiest cities on earth. The crisis drew sharp criticism toward influencers and expats who built entire brands around luxury Dubai living but left their animals behind without a plan when things turned dangerous.

Today at the UN, I spoke about a hard truth: True justice does not defend the humanity of children in one place and ignore it in another. I am devastated for families in Iran whose daughters left for school and did not return home. For parents in Gaza who buried their children beneath the rubble of their classrooms. For Afghan girls living under the brutal Taliban regime for nearly five years. The Taliban have built a system that removes women and girls from education, work and public life. This is gender apartheid, and it is time for the world to recognise it and act to end it. Speeches do not protect girls. But law, accountability and political courage can. malala.org/news-and-voice…




















