Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), has strongly responded to criticism from British podcaster Chris Williamson, who recently described Dubai as “shallow,” “soulless,” and even “one of the most horrible places on Earth” during an episode featuring American fitness expert Dr. Mike Israetel.
In an open letter, Bin Sulayem called Williamson’s remarks a “great injustice” to a city that is home to millions of expatriates and widely regarded as one of the most successful multicultural hubs in the world. He accused the podcaster of either “poor information” or “commercial motives,” pointing out the irony of Williamson including Dubai in his upcoming “Self Discovery World Tour 2026.”
“Everyone has the right to share their opinion about a place,” Bin Sulayem said. “Williamson could have simply claimed his experience in Dubai felt shallow. But to label the city as one of the most horrible places on Earth and accuse it of being built on slavery is profoundly unfair.”
Bin Sulayem also drew comparisons with Western cities, noting that in London and Paris, wearing an expensive watch has become risky due to rampant street crime, while in the United States, violent incidents occur regularly in public. “Yet despite such urban chaos, no one calls those countries the most horrible places on Earth. The same fairness must apply to Dubai,” he concluded.
