Inauguration Day: American expats in UAE cheer for start of a new era in US

Dubai - For some, the end of Trump era came as a 'relief'.

Dubai: American expats in the UAE were glued to television sets on Wednesday night as Joe Biden was sworn-in as the 46th President of the United States of America ending a prolonged uncertainty and turmoil that rocked the world’s oldest democracy two weeks ago. Many expats said they were happy and excited and are looking forward to a new era.

For some, the end of Trump era came as a “relief.”

Barbara Knight, former Deputy Press Secretary to First Lady Laura Bush and currently a UAE resident told Khaleej Times that the inauguration was "one of the few precious moments during these tumultuous times, where harmony has triumphed over the chaos and disorder that has seemingly characterized the end of the Trump administration.”

“I have no doubt that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will usher in a new epoch for America, one characterized by inclusion and social unanimity. I am hopeful that they will unite and repair, and remain emphatically focused on battling the pandemic, as well as the environmental and racial issues that have been ignored for too long," said Barbara who is currently a Senior Director, Communications & Marketing for McDermott International.

For Indian American Rupa Anwar from Michigan, the highlight of the night was the inauguration of Kamala Harris as the Vice President of United States of America.

“She is a woman – a well-educated, intelligent, capable woman like you and me. And she is an Indian American like me. So, I am very emotional and thrilled about her inauguration,” said Anwar, who moved to the UAE 12 years ago.

“She is level-headed and does not seem to be biased toward any race, community or nationality. So, she is going to make it good for everyone not just for Indians.”

Commenting on the end of Trump era, Anwar said she welcomes change. “It is not because Trump was intolerable. In fact, I did not have any problem with his government. The economy was doing great. But we are looking forward to Biden administration.”