Dubai: The death of an Emirati man on March 15 and injuries to three others after a fight involving knives and swords in Al Warqa’a raises the question of how easy is it to procure such a weapon in the country.
“You can get knives and saifs (scimitars) from anywhere. There are many shops in Satwa that sell them and in Dragon Mart you can get blades in all shapes and sizes,” Mohammad, a 28 year-old Emirati who works for a Dubai-based company, said.
“I carry one with me in the car at all times. Thing is, I’ve been stabbed once in the back a few years ago,“ he said, pointing at his lower back, “After an experience like that you always want to have one just in case, you know?”
As to what kind of altercation would prompt a blade to be unsheathed, Mohammad said “most of time, it is about petty stuff. Insulting someone or challenging their pride could easily lead to such a fight.”
Mohammad said most of the fights he has heard about, the parties involved have been under the influence of intoxicants.
“They’re either drunk or on pills.”
Mohammad’s friend, A.H., said he was nearly involved in a knife fight at the recent Drake concert.
“I usually carry a blade with me just as a fear tactic,” he said drawing out a switchblade, “but when the other party is armed as well, it could escalate easily. I’ve never been stabbed but I have many friends who have. I’ve been carrying a knife with me ever since I was in school. Getting a knife is as easy as getting a coke can.”
A.I., a Syrian civil engineer, said he also began to carry knives while he was at school and now has a collection of over 20.
“I’ve bought a few here and have brought some from other countries. Airport authorities usually don’t object, unless you keep it in your carry-on luggage. Most fights are the result of a bruised ego, and although it’s been years since I’ve been involved in a fight, I hear about stabbings more frequently than you’d expect. If someone wanted to buy a knife, he’ll find a way to get it. You don’t need a fancy blade to inflict damage. The problem isn’t with the sale of knives, it’s with the trifling motives that lead to these fights.”
Gulf News visited a certain hunting store in Deira, which sells an array of military-grade blades with sizes ranging from a little finger to an adult shin-bone. When asked if there was a minimum age for buying a knife, the shopkeeper said: “No, no, age.. no problem. Like, 15 and up, no problem.”
In the glass-display case, meat cleavers, switchblades, gut hooks, and fillets were seen (to name a few), ranging from Dh150 to more than Dh1,000.
“You take your time to decide,” the shopkeeper said, “I’ll be here.”