For being dark skinned, a Nigerian woman, Hanna Fanni was recently
disrespected and insulted by an attendant in a five-star
hotel, Mövenpick Hotel in Dubai.
The attendant reportedly
refused to serve her and showed her the door when she visited the
hotel’s popular West Beach Bistro & Sports Lounge with her black
American friend.
“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 which is classified as assault and sexual harassment in
UAE. 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.” Hannah explained.
When he saw it, his face contorted in panic as it dawned on him that
they had racially profiled 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.”
due to the misunderstanding of the employees and we would like to
clarify that there is no such management policy existent in the hotel.
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach welcomes and respect each and every guest
and this incident in no way reflects our true standards of service. An
official apology letter from the hotel management and employees involved
has also been sent to the guest.” the management said