The United Arab Emirates continues to drive a political and media campaign against Islamists in Britain and the wider West, linking Muslim figures and activities to terrorism and portraying Muslim communities as a political and security threat.
In this context, political analyst Omar Al Balushi, who is regarded as close to the Emirati authorities, targeted Islamists and Britain’s Muslim community by alleging links to terrorism, describing the issue as a “cancer that has spread in Britain”.
Security Expert Criticises Al Balushi’s Remarks
Security expert Andreas Krieg shared the video in which Al Balushi made the remarks, commenting that “the UAE is losing its credibility as a partner for the United Kingdom and Europe as long as it continues to conduct disinformation operations targeting our social and political stability”.
He added: “There is clearly a coordinated effort these days by the same Emirati network of disinformation influencers, attempting to polarise the public debate around Islam in Europe and migration. This operation is part of a broader campaign that exploits the engagement of Emirati elites in Europe and the United Kingdom, and deploys the debunked ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ scarecrow, an overarching narrative that portrays all Muslims in European societies as incapable of integration.”
Krieg said the campaign is being driven by the authoritarian leadership of Mohammed bin Zayed, “whose personal fear of political Islam has distorted Abu Dhabi’s judgement over who is a friend and who is an enemy. It is his personal fear of social and political mobilisation outside the regime’s control. The mosque is the most dangerous place for free dialogue in the Gulf.”
Andreas Krieg is an assistant professor in the Department of Defence Studies at King’s College London, a fellow at the King’s Institute for Middle East Studies, and a strategic analyst specialising in the security and political affairs of the Middle East and North Africa.
UAE Ties With Britain’s Reform Party
An investigation published by Middle East Eye revealed growing ties between the UAE and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, indicating that the relationship extends beyond economic interests to political alignment on migration, political Islam and foreign policy.
The investigation traced a shift in Farage’s position towards the UAE. After previously criticising its human rights record, he began appearing at Emirati events and praising the country’s model. During an event in Dubai in early 2026, he said: “We have a lot to learn from you”, while also praising the ban on the Muslim Brotherhood.
Abdullah bin Zayed Meets Farage
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed met Farage in London in May 2026, while the network of ties also extended to prominent Reform UK figures including Richard Tice and Nick Candy, as well as businesspeople and media figures linked to the British right.
The investigation also pointed to a media dimension in the growing relationship, with links between individuals, media organisations and think tanks associated with the British right and investors based in the UAE.
On migration, Reform UK has drawn on aspects of the Emirati model, particularly stricter residency and employment rules, while both sides share hardline positions on political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The investigation cited researchers and human rights organisations criticising the UAE’s policies towards political opposition and workers’ rights, while also pointing to the use of the Muslim Brotherhood issue to justify measures against opponents and organisations.
It concluded that the relationship between Abu Dhabi and Reform UK is gradually developing into a broader political, economic and media network. The UAE sees the rise of the British right as a channel through which it can expand its influence in the West and improve its image, while Reform UK views aspects of the Emirati model as a reference point for some of its policies, particularly on migration and political Islam.
