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Dubai: Cases of public indecency are isolated and not on the rise, said chief of Dubai Police, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, following the arrest of a couple who engaged in sexual activities on a public beach.
"Such cases are only isolated and aren't on a rise ... I don't think awareness is a problem. Those who don't understand [the sensitivities] are from a different planet," he said.
A British couple was arrested for engaging in sexual activities on a public beach last weekend, Gulf News has learned.
When asked, those who have shed their clothes in public or engaged in intimate acts often said they were unaware of the rules.
Eman Al Hashimi, a researcher in sociology and writer on family affairs for the Department of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said that the authorities had given a chance to spreading awareness about public decency, but it was now time for a dress code in the UAE.
Awareness booklets published by the ministry have been placed in all of the UAE's airports and they are being read, she said, "because they disappear off the shelves", but added that what she considers to be indecent behaviour continues in public places nonetheless.
"There should be dress codes imposed on residents based on Islamic traditions, keeping in mind our values for diversity, tolerance and coexistence."
Eman said such a dress code did not need to be a strict one but one that ensured that decency was maintained in the public domain.
"This should only be applicable to public places, not private areas such as homes, clubs or community events."
Eman stressed the need to remain tolerant, pointing to "the 35 faiths practised in the UAE" as a testament to the importance the UAE places on coexistence.
UAE sociologist Dr Rima Sabban said that Emiratis were becoming increasingly frustrated with violations of local sensitivities and public displays of affection, but were not speaking out against it enough.
"Not only Emiratis, but Arabs and long-time expatriate residents also often lament about the old UAE," she said, adding that most only expressed their discomfort in private.
Dr Rima said the speed of development that the country is facing today is making it increasingly difficult to hold on to and assert the UAE's culture and values. "With the inflow of so many people, things are getting out of hand."
People who move to the UAE to find work are often aware of the sensitivities and laws, she said, but the situation with tourists could be different, "which calls for moves to give them direction and orientation as to what is acceptable".
"Having tourist police is probably not a good idea but maybe there should be more tourist information centres," she said.
Are you aware of local sensitivities? Have you seen or read books or leaflets raising awareness on the issue in the country? Are the authorities doing enough to spread awareness? What can be done to ensure such incidents are not repeated? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
I agree with Eman, that there should be some threshold of indecency in public. I come from the U.S and now feel that the public indecency noticed on beaches and malls in Dubai are pushing limits of immorality. Such immorality is even abhorred by many, if not most of the faiths of the world.
Aleem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 10:15
I am a Dubai Expat for more than two years. I haven't read any books, leaflets or booklets but I am personally aware of the restrictions and am sensitive to the public. I came from a country where is almost liberated but since I am in UAE, I know my limitations and follow the rules and laws here. I love Dubai because you have freedom.
Shasha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 10:14
I do believe and think that people who visit the UAE should be aware of the culture of this country or other GCC country for that matter. The UAE, I have been told is far more tolerant than the others but this should not be abused by strangers to the land. I believe though that a dress code is not necessary provided visitors are briefed before entering the country. That shouldn't be difficult. We have brains, but it seems common sense is not common after all.
Klay
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 10:01
I don't think that one need to read a book to understand that nudity and sexual activities in public areas are restricted. This could only happen if you don't have respect to the people and the place around you. Even animals hide before they do such thing.
Tariq
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 10:01
I can agree with warning and then arresting individuals for sexual activities or public indecency. But Dress code? Come on, this will greatly affect the UAE's tourism. The UAE should come up with rules that will please the diversified population. It is a multicultural society. They cannot enforce Islamic dress code on people from Britian, States, and Europe etc... I am a Muslim, I can understand them saying no topless women, or no nakedness publicly, etc. But dress code? Horrible Idea.
WW
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 09:32
Personally I am very frustrated to go the do my shopping in the mall with my wife and child with half naked ladies all around. I don't think it is only a lack of information, I think it is also a kind of provocation toward the old traditions and the local community. The government MUST impose a code of conduct in public but also (and that is the most important) apply sanctions. In that case only, people will understand that respect of religion, culture, moral and ethics is not negotiable. The UAE is a place of tolerance so let's be compassionate with those who are suffering from that frustration on daily basis.
Khalid
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 08:33
This is completely unacceptable and this couple should be punished as per the law with no exceptions. To claim you were "unaware of the rules" is a lame excuse at best. The same behavior would be considered inappropriate as well as unlawful on most if not all the beaches of the countries around the world (including the UK) so why would someone think it to be any different in the UAE which is known as having a conservative society? In these cases "ignorance" is just not an acceptable excuse.
Yousuf
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 08:23
I am completely for the idea of introducing a dress code in the country as things definitely ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND. Especially in some big malls not only tourists from the western parts of the world but also some residents are seen in ridiculous clothing such as mini skirts which are much shorter than the lines of decency. I would request the authorities to kindly take action and do something to protect the cultural values of the country.
Samira
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 07:48
I extremely agree with Mr. Imam Al-Hashimi about his suggestion for the dress code especially for the outdoor public entertainment places. Business is not every thing in our life, and we are after all a conservative country.
Muhammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 07:48
Being from the UK, I'm not offended by their act as such. I feel more offended by their lack of respect for local values.
Paul
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 07:21
It is the time for implementation of decent dress for the residents of UAE. Strict penalties should be imposed on the violators. Public awareness on respecting religious values and decent dressing would be beneficial for the implemntation of the rules.
Abdulbasheer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 07:20
I don't think that some of the few people who are caught in public are not aware of the rules, but they just think that they are above the law. No matter what, these offenders should be strictly punished and their photgraphs and articles should be placed on the front page of your news paper, that will definetly play a big part in creating some awareness and it will be a deterrent to other and will definetely make them think twice.
Ian
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 07:18
There is no difference between animals and humans when they act in this manner. Little do they realise that it is wrong in any part of the world. My English friend says that in their own countries such acts are condemmed, and people consider them as low despicable and unhuman.
M.M
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 06:24
What happened to my country? Before I could take my family out to the shopping malls but now I am afraid of their vision being tarnished of bare flesh. Seeing half-naked women and men walking around is not acceptable.
Ahmed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 06:06
The law of the land should be of paramount importance and it did not matter even if you were a foreigner.
Tasbeem
Miami,USA
Posted: July 09, 2008, 05:27
The UAE is an Islamic country. We should live on the basis of Islamic Laws. Money and tourists today come and tomorrow will go. Don't give up our culture even for the sake of our life. God will ask tomorrow.
Zubair
Kannur,India
Posted: July 09, 2008, 04:15
All I can say about this is that if we are opening up to tourism and international visitors, we should expect this type of things to happen. Is it so wrong that we should be jailing our tourists? Lets get with the times and be a bit more forgiving and understanding to other cultures. They were drunk, I ask "where did they get the alcohol?"
Carl
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 04:06
I believe there is a wrong perception of how certain intimate practices are tolerated in the West. In all European countries performing explicit sexual acts in public is also punishable with jail and therefore forbidden, therefore it is no shame that the same restriction applies in UAE. But it is important to distinguish a hand to hand walk, a kiss on the cheek which has very decent intentions.
N.S.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 09, 2008, 02:14
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