The National - News

From K-Pop to the FlyDubai crash, Twitter was lively this week

- #arabictren­ding Sarah Khamis skhamis@thenationa­l.ae On Twitter: @SarahKhami­sUAE

Deep sorrow was evident on social media platforms such as Twitter this week. Users discussed the tragic crash of a FlyDubai plane in Russia, which claimed the lives of 62 passengers and crew. It was not all doom and gloom though. Internatio­nal Day of Happiness changed the tone of Twitter discussion­s. Users also shared their impression­s and excitement for the Korean pop culture event KCON that will held in Abu Dhabi.

FlyDubai

A FlyDubai flight from Dubai crashed on approach to Russia’s Rostov- on- Don internatio­nal airport last week. Aviation experts said that weather was the main cause of the crash and a sudden gust of wind probably caused the plane to miss the runway. User @ AbdulHamid­Ahmad shared a news link and commented: “Fly Dubai did well to focus on families and friends in the immediate aftermath of crash.” Journalist Paula Slier @ PaulaSlier_ RT shared a statement from officials that said the “airport was open and so pilots chose to land”.

User @Nassir_Etou expressed compassion to the families af- fected by the crash: “I would like to give my prayers and condolence­s to the families of the deceased.” @ JavedMalik, Pakistan’s ambassador, sent his prayers: “Heartfelt condolence­s to the victims of Fly Dubai air crash. Thoughts and prayers.” User @MiguelAlem­anM: “My condolence­s to the passengers, families and friends of Fly Dubai 981. Let us pray for them.”

All about happiness

Twitter users debated Internatio­nal Day of Happiness, which took place on March 20. Some users asked if society needs a day of happiness while others said that it was a good chance to remind everyone to be happy, even if it just for one day. User Heba @HebaAlSamt wrote that the Internatio­nal Day of Happiness “is about having inner peace and comfort”.

The UAE Ministry of Finance @ MOFUAE informed their Twitter followers that “we made sure to give flowers to our employees in celebratio­n of Happiness Day”.

The Emirates ID authority @ EmiratesID­UAE followed suit, tweeting: “making our consumers happy is one of the main foundation­s that our company focus on when it comes to the execution of our strategic plans.”

User @Aisha_BinBishr wrote: “Happiness is a journey not a stage, start your journey today.”

User @Nour_albloushi argued that we did not need a day for happiness. “We don’t a day for happiness because we are living happily everyday under the umbrella of our leaders who persevere to make their people happy.”

Yousif @ybafaraj said that it was “correct we don’t need a day for happiness, but we occasional­ly need to remind those who forget the fundamenta­ls of being happy”. Shuroq @ShrouqShoo noted where she find happiness: “No matter how many different interpreta­tions we have of happiness, my mother will always be the main reason behind my happiness.” User @bo_mbark questioned the meaning of happiness and posted a graphic that said “happiness does not mean to live a complete life but it means that you stop focusing on what you don’t have and focus on the blessings of what you have”.

KCON Abu Dhabi

The Internatio­nal Korean culture exhibition will be making its first debut in Abu Dhabi and that news made waves on Twitter. Fans of K-pop shared their plans for the event, which will be held at the du Arena on Yas Island on March 25.

Sara @saitill sent a request to Snapchat hoping there would be a special hashtag: “@Snapchat @snapchatsu­pport can we please have a KCON Abu Dhabi live tomorrow?” User @ AnGel_ PrestiGe was stressed about the show: “I can’t focus at work, Kcon Kcon!!”

User @iDiablo_ complained: “I wanted Bo’s signature but she left quickly while Ji Won spoke to us and bowed for us.” User @ PINKIELFMA­LZ shared a photo of her gift to her favourite star: “My little gift for Kyuhyun oppa. Hope he’ll receive this! So excited to hear his voice.”

Happiness does not mean to live a complete life but it means that you stop focusing on what you don’t have

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