A Dorset couple who travelled to Dubai for a short family visit found themselves stranded for nearly three weeks amid regional missile attacks and airport closures due to the current Middle East conflict.
Clergy couple Revd Louise and Revd Richard White, whose shared ministry is in the villages of Church Knowle, Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge, Kingston, Langton Matravers, Steeple with Tyneham, and Worth Matravers, had travelled to the United Arab Emirates on 27 February for what was meant to be a six-day trip visiting their 28-year-old daughter, Laura, who has been living and teaching in Dubai for the past two and a half years.
Within hours of their late-night arrival, airports closed unexpectedly and flights were grounded, leaving the couple unable to return home as planned.
“We landed in Dubai just before midnight and the following morning received messages telling us that the airports were shut,” Louise said. “At first, we thought it must be a rumour and we didn’t quite believe it. It took us a while to understand what was really happening and to overcome our disbelief that we were actually caught up in the situation with no knowledge of when we would be able to return. But we were both so grateful that we were there with our daughter, to experience it with her and find our way through together.”
Missile interception booms became a regular part of daily life. The couple received alerts warning of incoming missiles from the UAE authorities on their phones at least twice a day in the early stages of the crisis, sometimes more, and could see smoke in the sky from intercepted drones and missiles.
Despite the danger, Louise says daily life continued with surprising normality.
“It was very real and very nearby initially, and the first few days were quiet,” she said. “But people soon adapted: the parks were busy with families and children, cafés were full, people were walking, running, exercising their dogs, just doing normal life.” She described how they developed routines, including daily visits to a local shopping mall, which felt safer due to its windowless central areas.
Throughout the ordeal, the couple drew strength from support from home. After sharing updates on social media, the couple received messages from friends, parishioners and members of their church community offering prayers and encouragement.
“We felt carried by people’s prayers,” Louise said. “People’s love and support was quite amazing. Our parishioners were praying for us, and they even sent us pictures of services. It was overwhelming in the most wonderful way.”
Originally booked to return to Southampton, they eventually secured seats on a flight to Heathrow. Even their departure was uncertain: while waiting at the boarding gate, further missile alerts forced passengers to evacuate to a safe area. The couple landed safely in the UK after 18 days abroad – three times longer than originally planned – and were met at the airport by a churchwarden from their parish.
Reflecting on the experience, Louise says it has reinforced the importance of faith, community and human connection.
“As a vicar, you’re always busy and there are so many things that you have to do. But this reminded me what really matters – recognising the importance of community, prayer, worship and caring for one another,” she said. “Our whole community has supported us. We’ve felt incredibly loved. The greatest takeaway from all of this has been the kindness, prayers and support from home. That has been the real gift.”