War in the Middle East: Stromae’s hit “Papaoutai” used by Dubai influencers to glorify the emirate’s government

“Aren’t you afraid of living in Dubai?” » “No, because I know who is protecting us.” These two phrases have been widely used recently by Dubai influencers on their social networks. As the United Arab Emirates has been the target of Iranian strikes since the Middle East war began on February 28, content creators have published similar videos, in which they use these two phrases and feature several authority figures in the country.

Slow motion images of the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rachid Al Maktoum, his son, Hamdane bin Mohammed Al Mamelouk, and Mohammed Ben Zayed, the President of the United Arab Emirates, in which they appear confident and conquering, are thus relayed.

The song “Papaoutai”, by the Belgian artist Stromae, who made a notable appearance at the Orelsan concert this Thursday, adds to their glorification: “fathers” of the Emirates, they are the men for the job, qualified to protect the population.

“It was just a small, unpretentious video idea”

The posts come as UAE authorities and Dubai Police reiterated current rules on what can be posted on social media and what is prohibited, saying violators face jail terms and fines.

Faced with these images, which resemble propaganda, many Internet users have accused the influencers of having been paid by the Dubai or even Emirati government.

“My last video on this subject attracted a lot of comments. I am suspected of being paid for this, of spreading propaganda or of being forced by the government to post it. But in reality it doesn’t go that far. It was just a small, unassuming video idea,” responded Julisjoking (see video above), who posted such a video on his TikTok account. Many other influencers claimed their posts were independent and not subject to government-sponsored content.