ABU DHABI, UAE - August 14, 2025 - Heightened geopolitical pressure and local tensions throughout the Gulf this summer have led to strong military responses. On June 23, 2025, Iranian missiles were fired at a U.S. base within Qatar, fueling retaliatory actions from surrounding nations and regions. During these escalations, Emirati writer Mozah Alkindi shared candid reflections of fear, gratitude, and the unshakable bonds of Gulf unity.
In a recent publicized piece titled, Yes, I Was Scared When Iran Hit Qatar, readers are invited into the intimate, human side of a global breaking news moment. Her insights unfolded while mid-flight to Bahrain, powerless to learn more about the incident beyond a 10-minute warning of the impending attack.
“The driver who picked us up kept repeating, ‘Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine,’ reports Alkindi. “And I believed him.”
By the time the writer’s plane touched down, Bahrain’s atmosphere had shifted from one of welcome to heavy tension in the air that hums and doesn’t let go. Even with these tensions, local hosts greeted her warmly, teasing her by reminding her of the Gulf’s instinctive protectiveness during uncertainty.
Local reactions to the attack varied, with most in a state of shock. The fear Alkindi felt was, even with the escalating military actions, accompanied by an ever-stronger sense of gratitude. It allowed her space to reflect on growing up with the memory of fear from the Gulf War at age four, contrasted with the calm resilience being witnessed now in Bahrain.
“I am grateful that fear is not something I know often,” writes Alkindi. “Grateful that I grew up in places where safety is the default. Despite the current crisis surrounding us, the UAE remains a haven of stability.”
Life goes on. The summit Alkindi traveled to began smoothly the next morning. Amid such terrible actions, the Gulf maintained its place in the world, showcasing joy, connection, and everyday life. As social media talking heads continued divisive and celebratory reactions, she found herself holding onto the fundamental truth of shared identity and mutual care across Gulf nations.
Alkindi’s story resonates with readers and delivers a broader message that resilience is built not only on the standard of political stability, but in the numerous, tiny human gestures of kindness and solidarity that shape our communities. Those are what empower us to navigate uncertainty with peaceful hearts.
The full written reflection is available on Medium at https://medium.com/@moza.alkindi/yes-i-was-scared-when-iran-hit-qatar-f0fd76dc347e. It offers readers both within the Gulf and outside regions an insider’s look at how conflict impacts local culture.
About Mozah Alkindi:
Mozah Alkindi is a reader, writer, content creator, and speaker on cultural stories impacting the greater Gulf region. As a highly sought-after speaker, she engages diverse audiences around the UAE on a wide range of topics that further expand community identity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications from the Higher Colleges of Technology and is a committed member of the Social Media Pioneers Committee. Alkindi also volunteered as a media coordinator for the UAE National Elections Committee and has trained at Sky News Arabia.
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