JammedStab, it's a valid question.
I have worked in the ME. Where I was, the locals were clearly treated differently from the expats.
In this case, have a look at the hours flown. The captain had been flying a little more than 60 hrs/month for the last three months. In an airline were pilots regularly fly 90-100+ every month.
I have not worked for EK, so I can't say if the local pilots there are given preferential treatment, but it would not surprise me.
Wasta is alive and well in the ME.
The conclusion of this report will tell a lot about this.
When the aviation authorities ban the population from discussing and/or sharing pictures of this accident, it doesn't look too promising.