Dubai's Dangerous 'Cancer Curing Cult' Exposed as Child Welfare Crisis
The full extent of what experts describe as a dangerous "cancer curing cult" operating openly in Dubai has been revealed, with human rights campaigners warning the city has become a "dumping ground for the world's worst criminals." Practitioners of ThetaHealing, founded by American Vianna Stibal in 1995, claim they can access the brain's "theta wave state" to cure mental and physical ailments through spiritual means.
Vulnerable Families Targeted
The controversial practice has been accused of luring vulnerable families and encouraging them to "reject medical healing in favour of fantasy" with extraordinary claims including curing HIV and regrowing amputated legs. Human Rights Lawyer David Haigh and Women's Rights Campaigner Aisha Ali-Khan, co-founders of Dubai Watch, have exposed disturbing cases occurring behind closed doors in the popular holiday destination.
"This is not an abstract human-rights issue," Mr Haigh told the Daily Mail. "It is about children and vulnerable people being harmed while the authorities look the other way because the clients are wealthy and the optics are convenient."
Six-Year-Old Girl's Broken Feet Case
Mr Haigh revealed the ongoing case of a six-year-old girl born into a powerful Emirati family whose mother, an advanced ThetaHealing practitioner, insists her daughter's broken feet can naturally "regrow" without medical intervention. The child allegedly attended meetings where practitioners claimed her injuries could heal using "theta brainwaves."
"A custody dispute has been going on for a while in relation to this case," Mr Haigh explained. "The young girl managed to break both her feet and her mother genuinely believed they would regrow. The dad is obviously worried but he will never get custody because he is living outside of Dubai."
Despite receiving some medical treatment, the girl remains "at risk" while living with her mother. Prominent Emirati lawyer Samira Garage, the first female to hold the title in Dubai, was reportedly "so incensed" by the case she filed a criminal complaint herself, though no action has been taken.
Dubai as "Conman Capital of the World"
Mr Haigh described Dubai as "the dumping ground of all things banned everywhere else" and "the conman capital of the world." He emphasized that ThetaHealing groups should not be operating, noting they claim religious status despite contravening Islam, the state religion.
"What is most disturbing is that Dubai publicly claims zero tolerance for unlicensed religion and medical fraud," Mr Haigh stated. "Yet Theta Healing is allowed to operate openly in luxury hotels, charging thousands, making god-like claims, and targeting vulnerable families. This double standard puts children at real risk."
Questionable Healing Claims
On ThetaHealing's website, founder Vianna Stibal claims to have "facilitated her own instant healing from cancer in 1995." When asked for proof of her healed cancerous tumor, she responded: "Of course I do, I am a Capricorn. Besides all the witnesses, I have records, x-rays and MRIs."
Ms Stibal has been quoted claiming it's possible to grow back amputated body parts through Theta, including legs or ovaries, and that "cancer is one of the easiest things" to cure. The practice has been debunked by prize-winning physician Edzard Ernst, yet Ms Stibal continues charging thousands of dollars to train practitioners.
Glamorous Marketing Tactics
The organization uses sophisticated marketing, with flashy posters referencing "manifesting" and social media influencers promoting the practice. Influencer Yuliya Kutsaya boasts of conducting "over 3,000 successful theta sessions," while another Instagram account shows a woman holding a bent spoon, claiming she used mind power to bend stainless steel.
Ms Ali-Khan warned that people moving to Dubai are "not aware of the risks," adding: "These practitioners suck people in with glossy brochures that have pictures of really young and good looking women. There is a lot of political maneuvering behind the scenes and ultimately the information isn't out there."
Systemic Failures and Hypocrisy
Among the centers operating in Dubai are the Theta Healing Institute of Knowledge, the Home of Wellness Meditation Center, and Theta - Illuminations Wellbeing Center. Despite obtaining a fatwa declaring ThetaHealing against Islamic law, and multiple court cases worldwide relating to its claims, the practice continues unchecked.
"What makes Theta Healing especially alarming in Dubai is the hypocrisy," Ms Ali-Khan said. "Ordinary people can be jailed for minor religious infractions, yet a foreign belief system claiming divine healing powers is allowed to flourish openly - because it is profitable and discreetly patronised by the elite. This is not tolerance. It is selective enforcement, and women and children are the collateral damage."
Dubai Watch's Mission
Mr Haigh and Ms Ali-Khan established Dubai Watch to provide information about the city's dangers. "Dubai is dangerous, and that is precisely why Aisha and I set up Dubai Watch," Mr Haigh explained. "Dubai Watch alerts, informs and advises tourists, influencers, expatriates, businesses and investors with the facts, risks and real dangers of Dubai."
The organization highlights other dangers in the city, including the case of Marcus Fakana, jailed at 18 for a relationship with a 17-year-old girl, and an Indian national who recently went missing. "These are the cases we know of - what about all those we don't know?" Ms Ali-Khan questioned.
Despite a disclaimer on ThetaHealing's website stating its techniques "are not meant to supplement, or be substitute for, professional medical care," practitioners continue making extraordinary healing claims while operating in one of the world's most luxurious destinations.
