The incident took place at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach on July 8 when Hannah Fanni, who heads an events management company, visited the hotel with her Black-American friend. Hannah says it reminded her of 1930s America. She said: “They suspected us of
being prostitutes and targeted us solely because of the color of our skin.
I have lived here for 10 years and have never been treated in such a disrespectful and despicable manner. My friend had just graduated and we were hoping to enjoy a girls’ night out at the bar but came back traumatized. First the waitress refused to serve us and then a security guard ordered us to leave the hotel.
At one stage he was ready to engage with us physically. He kept telling us that the bar didn’t allow unaccompanied women. I found it strange because there were several tables occupied by women. When I pointed to them, he said he was merely following orders. I showed him my business card. When he saw it, his face contorted in panic as it dawned on him that they had racially profile the wrong people. .
But instead of making amends, he said the security guard had asked us to leave as some black women had come in earlier and solicited their guests. I was stunned. Just because some black women had approached their guests, the hotel assumed we were also prostitutes. Realizing their mistake the hotel tried to offer us freebies, but we felt so humiliated that we left immediately.
I want the management of the hotel to realize that this isn’t 1930. This is 2015. You cannot walk up to random black women and tell them you will not serve them because they are black. I am completely flabbergasted that in this day and age the policy of an international chain is to not allow people into their bars because of the color of their skin.” The hotel has since apologized to Hannah for the unfortunate incident…… Runz girls, see what u av caused my dear Hannah…..
