MAHMUD HAMS / Contributor via Getty ImagesA teacher from Glasgow living in Qatar says she feels trapped after sending her passport back to the UK for renewal just days before conflict escalated in the region.
Morgan O’Malley, from Carntyne, works at an international school in Lusail, near the capital Doha, and posted her passport to the UK on February 15 because it was due to expire within six months.
However, with tensions escalating in the Middle East and security warnings issued, she has learned her application has not yet been accepted by HM Passport Office.
With no way to leave the country if the situation worsens, the 26-year-old says she is “frightened” after hearing explosions nearby since the weekend.
“This started on Saturday, so this is day six,” she said. “It was quite noisy the first few days, lots of booms and bangs.
“It was quiet the last few days, but this morning there’s been a lot of noise and we had a government notification on our phones saying there was an extreme threat level and we are all to stay inside.
“You can feel it in the atmosphere. The windows shake, the walls shake, it’s really scary.”
The teacher said government guidance has been to remain indoors, forcing her and colleagues to move their lessons online.
STV News“The government advice is to shelter and stay inside, so we’ve been doing everything online,” she told STV News.
“It’s really hard, you’re trying to check in with children, trying to stay calm and reassure them.
“It’s just worrying. We had to cancel our check-in today with the children because the bombs were too close.”
Morgan said she had expected the passport renewal process to take around three weeks but has since learned her application has not yet been accepted by HM Passport Office.
Without a passport, she says she cannot travel if evacuation routes become necessary.
“My passport expires in August, so it was within six months,” she said.
“I sent it back for the renewal application and it should only take three weeks, but that’s stopped now.
“The passport office hasn’t even accepted my application yet, so I don’t know how I will receive the passport or when.
“The emergency travel document that I would have to get doesn’t allow access into Saudi Arabia, so I have no way of leaving Qatar. Every contact I’ve tried to reach has given me no advice at all.
Morgan O’Malley via Supplied“All I’m really asking for is help from the British Government, some sort of advice.”
Morgan said the uncertainty has left her worried about what might happen if the situation deteriorates further.
“In the back of my mind I just keep wondering ‘what if’. What if there is a huge catastrophe and we do need to leave Qatar and I don’t have a way out of the country,” she said.
“It’s taking away your safety blanket in case you do need a way out.”
The Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been contacted for comment.
It comes as John Swinney has expressed concern for the well-being of Scots currently in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict.
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, he said the Scottish Government was working with its UK counterparts to help people return home safely.
“I am concerned for the wellbeing of Scottish citizens who are trapped in the Middle East and we are working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to try to seek the repatriation of those individuals as quickly as it is safe to do so, given the risks and the threats that are faced,” he said.
While some have been criticising US President Donald Trump’s actions, Iranians living in Scotland came out to thank him.
Members of Scotland’s Iranian community gathered outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Thursday to show their gratitude for the American and Israeli airstrikes against the regime in the country.
STV NewsDozens waved US, Israeli and Iranian monarchy flags outside the consulate, chanting thanks to President Donald Trump and playing music.
They welcomed the ongoing military action and celebrated the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strike of the war on Saturday.
Many Scots have also been celebrating, but for different reasons.
More than 300 people were brought back to Scotland from the emirate on Wednesday night, after witnessing days of destruction abroad.
Families broke down in tears of relief as they embraced their loved ones, who touched down at Edinburgh Airport at 8.12pm.
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