Thursday, September 2, 2010

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has apologised after an Emirati guest said that UAE citizens got free electricity and water.

After staff fact-checked the comments, Oprah released a statement through her production company, Harpo, in which she apologised to Dubai citizens.

“It was never the intention of the Oprah show to misrepresent the people of Dubai,” the statement said, adding, “Dr Lamees Hamdan appeared live on our programme to speak about her personal life experience as a citizen of Dubai.

We apologise if any of our viewers were offended.”

Dr Hamdan made her comments during an internet video chat with Oprah that was broadcast to TV stations around the world.

The interview was also featured on Oprah’s web site with the introduction: “Thanks to this country’s rich oil supplies, the government provides its citizens with free water, electricity and healthcare.

The best part? No income tax!”    

Some Emiratis complained and about the segment, saying it had made them look over-privileged.

But other Emiratis have defended Dr Hamdan as a positive role model and set up a facebook page to support her.

Dr Hamdan, who runs her own cosmetic brand called Shiffa, has since sought to downplay her comments.

The company’s Chief Operating Officer said yesterday that Dr Hamdan wanted to clarify what she said, and did  not mean to imply the government paid all Emiratis’ utilities.

Amna Al Hashemi, who is Emirati, told 7DAYS she contacted Dewa yesterday and was told Emiratis have to pay electricity but get free water.

sean.odriscoll@7days.ae