Emirati group to sue over tweets.

A group of women are set to take a legal action against an social media user who launched into an online tirade against Emiratis.

A total of 28 UAE nationals have come together to file a lawsuit against the Twitter user. Dr Yousef Al Sharif, the group's lawyer, plans to file a civil lawsuit in Dubai alleging defamation, which can result in substantial fines if proven.

The identity of the user is not known, other than her Twitter handle @maghrbia123, and that she claimed to be Moroccan. Al Sharif said the tweets suggest that the woman lives in the UAE.

He said the user had ridiculed Emirati women by saying that their husbands "leave them to be with Moroccan women instead".

The Twitter user wrote: "All Emirati women are spinsters, needy, self-centred and widowed. The others are divorced. I feel pity for them! Emirati men love and lust after Moroccan ladies as they get us maids, jewellery and give us lots of money."

Al Sharif told 7DAYS that he had been contacted about the "barrage of insults against Emirati women".

He said: "These mean tweets are extremely insulting, reflecting the tweeter's hatred for Emiratis. We will launch a legal case and sue her."

He continued: "Expatriate women have also expressed their willingness to join hands with Emirati women."

The comments sparked a backlash on social media. User @faimah said people should be respectful, adding: "Emiratis will respond to the Moroccan lady's insults."

Among those backing the action is the Emirati author Mona Mattar, who told 7DAYS: "I agree with Al Sharif, and this abusive woman should be sued for insulting all Emirati women. She does not just insult UAE women only but also our leaders and men and UAE laws."

Federal law criminalises any act that stokes hatred or which insults people through any form of expression.

nawal@ 7days.ae

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