Update on Dubai-gate
Well.....that was all a bit amazing :)

I am both humbled and eternally grateful for everyones interest and support. I would like to publicly thank Scott, Warren Ellis, Mark from boingboing, Nadya Lev and everyone who has flooded my inbox with letters of support, advice and correspondence to Diz*.

The only update I can give you on his individual situation is that we have discovered that this seven day extension they've granted themselves to investigate him could potentially turn into a much longer one. We've found travelers who have been in jailed for up to eight months before charges were filed. We will continue to be optimistic, but need to adjust our strategy for the long term.

What we are doing:

This campaign (yeah, I guess you can call it that, now) has taken a new and critical turn: After days of research, we have unearthed many, far worse situations involving foreigners in Dubai prisons who do not have the money, resources or actively involved persons that we do. We are going to bat for them now, as well as those who, like Diz, are simply in purgatory awaiting charges. I would like to make it very clear that, although obviously my primary objective is to get Diz home and safe, we are working to secure real changes that will have far reaching effects on all travelers languishing in Dubai detention centres and prisons. Our objective is to work with Dubai officials on this issue, in addition to educating airlines, tourist boards and individuals about the risks they face traveling through or to Dubai and how to take the necessary precautions before entering.

This might sound ambitious, but we're already making very good progress and speaking directly with those who are in the position to deport/pardon those currently in custody awaiting charges. We strongly believe that there is an effective way to change policy without compromising Islamic values, and educate potential visitors without scaring them away.

We have been on the fence as to whether or not we should go to the mainstream media with this. We have made the executive decision that this is the next, necessary step after uncovering more and more cases like his. Fortunately for us, there are works already in progress which we are involving ourselves in. A few high profile cases are waging their own campaigns and word is trickling out. I guess that if there were ever a time to be arrested in Dubai, now would be it, so we've been lucky.

What you can do:

We need your stories. Have you had a bad experience in Dubai? Do you know someone who has? Email us at dubaicampaign@gmail.com.

We're struggling with a balancing act of not being unfairly alarmist, while on the other hand ensuring that travelers are safe and aware of the risk they face. I understand that many people love Dubai and have never seen the underside of it. Please do not take our efforts personally and try to understand that we are in scary place and trying to do all we can to get our loved ones home.


*I am about half-way through your letters to Diz. I sent the first batch yesterday to his liaison in Dubai, and will send a second batch later today. Many of you have been forthcoming with advice or offering help to us personally. Thank you all so much for your efforts, and there are truly no words to express my gratitude.