Dubai Life by Ksenya Prekovic

By Ksenya 　http://ksenyaprekovic.com/?p=122

As mentioned couple of times before, United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country ruled by Sharia law. The rules are more relaxed than in some of the neighbouring Muslim countries, especially compared to  Saudi Arabia or Iran, however that are still few things that are very common in Western cultures that are simply not legal or proper in UAE. Here are some of them:

• Living with your boyfriend/girlfriend

Unmarried couples are legally not allowed to live together. This rule is not enforced a lot in Dubai, however every now and then one hears about a couple who were caught living together and are deported.  Other emirates like Sharjah or Abu Dhabi are stricter in enforcing the rule.

Respectful clothes sign in a Dubai mall

•  Wearing ultra-revealing clothes

Clothes showing tummies, ultra miniskirts/shorts or spaghetti straps tops are just not acceptable here. There are signs in the malls asking you to wear respectful clothes and you might be asked to leave a mall or other public place if you are dressed too revealing. Keep your skirts/shorts knee high and wear a short sleeves top and you will be ok. Again, other emirates like Sharjah or Abu Dhabi are more conservative.

•  Drinking or being drunk in public

 This will land you directly in jail! Limit  your ” happy mood”  to  appropriate places like bars, clubs or private homes and remember to take a taxi home afterwards.  

•  Drinking,  eating  or smoking in public during Ramadan

 During month of Ramadan (in 2010 it falls 10 Aug – 10 Sept) the Muslims are fasting during the daytime. All the other visitors and residents are expected to refrain from drinking, eating or smoking in public or they will be fined. For more info on Ramadan please check one of my previous posts http://ksenyaprekovic.com/?p=45

•  Shaking hands with members of the opposite sex

Some of the  Muslims prefer not to shake the hands with members of the opposite sex. Wait for them to take a first step and extend the hand!

• Kissing (or more) in public

People WERE arrested for having sex on the beach, so this rule is being enforced. Refrain from kissing in public as legally even holding hands is limited to the married couples only!