Dress code for men:Sharjah style
Sharjah police enforce old law against men wearing accessories
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
Published: July 21, 2009, 22:45
Sharjah: Thirteen-year-old Mohammad was with a group of friends in Al Qasba area when he was reportedly approached by a police officer and taken to the police headquarters. His silver necklace had to go.
Another resident, Jeril Jaison Varghese, says he was in front of the Multiplex in Mega Mall to watch a movie when a CID officer asked him for his identification.
"I was taken to the Sharjah Police office inside the mall by a security guy from the mall. My silver bracelet was confiscated by the CID," he said.
When Varghese asked why his bracelet was being taken away, he says, police said men are not allowed to wear bracelets or any fashion accessories in Sharjah malls even if it is silver and not gold.
"When did this rule come into being? There was no public notification and no posters in the mall notifying people of this rule," Varghese said. Another resident said on Saturday CID confiscated his friend's silver bracelet while they were in a mall.
"Is there a rule in Sharjah that authorises the CID to confiscate fashion accessories other than gold from residents and their children from malls?" asked Aji Alexander.
A Mexican mother who recently shifted to the UAE and is now living in Sharjah said her 14-year-old son was scared when he was stopped by police who shouted at him for wearing diamond earrings.
"Police were rude... We have no clue that such things are not allowed here," the mother said. "I am not allowing my son to go to Al Qasba again. My son is a very decent and polite boy," she said.
"If people are not offending the laws of the country and are not acting like women by wearing such accessories so why are police taking such action?" she asked.
Mohammad from Sudan said his 18-year old nephew who came from Abu Dhabi to visit his grandmother in Sharjah was taken last week to the headquarters for wearing a silver necklace.
"The boy was afraid. He was standing in front of his grandmother's house when police took him to the CID. After three hours he contacted us," said Mohammad. Residents said Sharjah authorities should inform people who wish to come here that men must not wear fashion accessories.
"Tourist companies should inform the public. Information booklets should be handed to people at the country's entry points. They should advertise that in all malls and entertainment areas such as Al Qasba which we believe are safe places for our children to spend time," said a resident.
"We are aware of the decency law in Sharjah, but wearing silver bracelets, necklaces, or even earrings in a decent way is not against the law," said a resident.
A senior CID official told Gulf News that police are implementing an eight-year-old decency law.
"Men are not allowed to wear such accessories. Everybody is aware of that," he said. "We are informing people through the media and people should be aware of that," he said.
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Police_and_The_Courts/10333560.html
I guess the police in sharjah have nothing better to do..hope this doesnt bcome a rule here too..wonder what theyll have to say bout the wristwatches worn by the men here(the diamond studded types)..Im sure they are being worn in sharjah too..but then,aha..wristwatches werent around in the days these laws/do's/donts were first thought of..better yet,Cant really change it(the laws) now..just as well..the diamond studded wristwatches stay..
Elton John had that done years ago..
in their front teeth for show. Wonder if that would be considered "too much" by our resident expert on what is socially and Islamically acceptable in the Gulf....
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
:(
be humble
seriously... we really need to question the right of third world countries to have rules and laws different from that of the developed countries... tsk tsk...
and btw... brush up your geography... UAE is not a third world country
planning a colony on Mars, and these 3rd world folks are still in the pre-dark ages,,,
Do we need any other example??
"her 14-year-old son was scared when he was stopped by police who shouted at him for wearing diamond earrings"
WTF is a 14 y.o. boy doing wearing diamond earings in the first place!?!?!!?
WHY NOT, HE CAN AFFORD IT..
Mos of the world's problms would be resolved if we all ha "Stepford" wives..
you brought another observation to my notice..
Varghese was taken to the police station
As for Muhammad, found standing in front of his house
and then taken to the police station
both of them were taken in to custody but discharged without arrests or any charges
both are majors
We can't say why they chose these two individuals
what they are suspected of doing
could be as simple as checking papers such as RP
something which happens in Qatar all the time
Incidentally, they had jewelry which was confiscated
Neither said they were taken in to custody FOR wearing jewelry
As for the Mexican boy... he is apparently the only one pulled up only for the jewelry
Which too might not be the case cos he seems to have been on his own or with his friends and 14 year olds could be in to any number of mischief...
But anyway, I guess Scarlett doesn't find it a stretch
But diamond earrings on a 14 year old is a bit too much for me
I am not asserting that the boy is homosexual
just that earrings are a symbolism for homosexuality
and the cops found it distasteful on the boy
and since it is against the law, they have every right to ask them to take it off
As for Scarletts worry about where the jewelry goes
I am sure the UAE police must be confiscating money, drugs, stolen jewelry, stolen goods, cars etc... and I am sure they have appropriate procedures to handle these kind of property
Anyway, it isn't extortion... as the primitive mind may want to interpret
they keep saying that its "asked" to not wear the jewelry...Where I am from, being taken to the police station, even in a mall, isn't being ASKED...its next to being arrested. Why couldn't they just request that the jewelry be removed and pocketed by the owner??? Where does that piece of jewelry go after confiscation? Who gets the money, if they resell it to a jeweler to be melted down? The kid with the diamond earrings...notice its PLURAL, which means there are TWO of them...not that he's gay...sheesh...A lot of young kids wear two earrings because they LIKE the look...Personally, being different is much better than everyone being completely alike...otherwise we'd all be like Stepford Wives/Husbands...
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the main difference between a dog and man.
-Mark Twain-
Would the authorities explain the word accessories? Wrist watch is not an accessory!!!! Ban them also. It may help, atleast in this recession period!!!!!!!!!!!!
What say???
sharjah is most best place i visited
Jesus is regard as prophet also, but on a second tier. The question of superiority exist here. He is seen as a barrier for advancement for any propagation. That would explain why his fish is not welcome as public display and if so it would be in a very limited permission..
there is a restriction on public display of religious symbols on buildings... that's for certain
Really??!?!??!?!?!!?! This is a Muslim country :-o :p I have noticed, but it's also a Muslim country with Catholic Church. A Jesus fish doesn't hurt anyone. You could even argue that it could be just as much a Muslim symbol as a Christian synbol since Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet too.
in case you haven't noticed gypsy... this is a Muslim country
I personally do not have a problem with the Jesus fish
But I wonder I was wondering if the authorities would mind...
Considering that even the Lady of the Rosary does not have a cross displayed on it...
I am guessing that Qataris are not too fond of public display of nonMuslim symbolisms...
but its just speculation... I don't know
What's wrong with the Jesus fish?? There's loads of cars with stuff on them praising Allah, why can't the Cristians have a Jesus fish?
BritExpat
I was just joking about women wearing earrings the other way round...
women usually wear earrings on both ears...
so they can't use it as a signal of their sexual preference... DUH
man... you are off color these days
and Eco...
you would also be shocked with some of the symbolisms that are so common place in the Middle East on lockets...
should advise kids to keep off it... skulls and daggers
they don't even realize some are blasphemous
and the Jesus fish on so many cars... I wonder if the authorities knew, whether they would allow it to be displayed publicly...
Thanks verisi that was informative.
britexpat: My comment were based on your query
"where does it say anything about banning men from dressing like women ? "
As-Sunnah As Saheeha
http://www.islamlecture.com/
I always thought that it was ankle chains for women ..
one of my favourite jokes:
A crocodile walks into a clothes boutique and says "Give me a polo shirt with a woofter on it please" :)
No, I'm remember from my high school days and that's what the boys said it meant...cause most of them had earrings in one ear.
I guess for females its the other way round :-p
I thought it was left side meant you were gay and right side meant you were straight....
In my opinion, this cannot be attributed to only Islam, although religion may have some part to play in it as would almost any other matter of this nature in a Muslim nation.
The reason I am convinced of this is that although men have been discouraged to wear jewelry, they would not go as far as to apply it to nonmuslim men merely based on religion.
Even if they did get ultra-conservative and did apply it as a purely Islamic issue, the first rule they would have enforced would have been the Abaya on the ladies. If you've been to UAE malls, the ladies there are more scantily clad than in American or European malls even.
Although jewelry has been discouraged, the real reason behind this ruling in my opinion could be to discourage cross dressing and people advertising their homosexuality.
I have seen men wearing make up and jewelry dressing almost like women even here in Qatar. It is disturbing to some people and that is what they find offensive to decency as opposed to religion. Besides, what stops the authorities from saying this were a religious diktat even if it were one?
Bear in mind, the people in question may have been taken in to custody for behaving suspiciously and their jewelry being confiscated may have just been incidental.
As for the 14 year old kid with DIAMOND earrings...
let me quote from this website...
http://www.blackwebportal.com/nuforums/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=12&Topic=243
"Most males [men] don’t know it, but earring wearing by males was homosexual symbolism. As the left side of the body is feminine and the right side, masculine, homosexual males pierced that side of the ear denoting their role in a same sex affair or relationship. If a male homosexual had his left ear pierced, he was stating that he was “passive” in the sex act. If he had the right ear pierced, he was stating that he was “active” in the sex act. And if he had both ears pierced, look out, it was “party time” as he went both ways – receiving it and giving it, whether it was anal sex or head." Sorry for being graphic but more parents ought to know this... especially the Mexican mother whose 14 year old son was wearing diamond earrings?!?!?! They were actually doing the kid a favor!
The other reason I am so certain about this is that this law has been left open to interpretation of the enforcing authority. If it were Islamic, it would have absolute... nonmuslim men would not even be allowed to wear gold wedding rings or silk shirts (a much bigger sin according to Islam). Jewelry shops would be asked to stop stocking gold rings for males and clothing shops asked to stop stocking silk shirts... which obviously hasn't happened.
So as much as the usual Islam bashers like fubar and FU would like to bash Islam for this and as passionately as PM may want to oblige by empathizing over emphatically and agreeing wholeheartedly and ... the bottom line is...
men being asked to not wear jewelry in Sharjah is more to do with averting non-permissible social practices rather than enforcing a religious principle.
When in Saudi, it was expected that an expat of long standing should wear"
A chunky gold ring on each finger
Have a couple of gold chains (modest size) around his neck and
Have a thick chain bracelet on his wrist to complement the tattoo of an ex girlfriend on his forearm..
LOL. Seriously though, I can't see to many men (nor many of their wives allowing them to) taking off their wedding rings.
They should be publicly flogged and the gold sold for charity..
What about Christian men who wear a cross on a chain around their neck? Or wedding rings?
the interpretation of Islam being applied in Sharjah. :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
It seems that I am in a minority o one here :O)
when your greed drives you to exploit fellow human beings.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
and you still want to act like we Muslims are wrong that this "decency act" is related to Islam?
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
By the way Hijab on its own is not a religious dressing code, its a culture, like most Qatari prefers to wear Abaya and Thobe. If this is mean to cover all the body part then Levis jeans, jackets, cowboy hat and shoes should covers all part as well.
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse
If this is the law, better comply
Besides personally I am glad
I think the feminization of male fashion is a global disaster
I've begun to notice that male models are often more femininely dressed than female models on fashion shows!!
And men in Japan even have man bras?!?!
Couple of decades back, men wearing make up was unheard of and today its getting incredibly common place!!
I would be glad if the same law is enacted in Qatar
Sure I'm assuming. I just am having a hard time thinking of any other source for a 'decency law' that prohibits men from wearing necklaces in a conservative muslim emirate, other than Islam itself.
Does anyone have any good suggestions?
We are assuming things here regarding this particular issue..
No society on earth is perfect... even if a particular form of life is prescribed by God, you cannot expect it to be perfect. We are after all, only human...
According to this link, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has said that men cannot wear necklaces of any kind:
http://infad.usim.edu.my/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=10713
Accourding to this link, Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid says that men cannot wear any necklaces, even if they are made of silver:
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503548602
According to this link, it is Haram to wear a necklace even if it is inscribed with a passage from the Koran:
http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Fatwa/ShowFatwa.php?Option=FatwaId&lang=E&Id=89084
I'd be inclined to think that there are religious overtones to this issue.
"We Muslims have a more humble claim, we just live life the way we were directed by Allah"
Does this include:
exploitation
France and other developed countries claim a stake at very high ideals like 'secular', 'equal', 'tolerant', 'free' etc. etc. etc...
Muslim countries say... Take it or leave it... we are Muslim countries and we subscribe to an Islamic school of thought...
So when France imposes a ban against the hijab for instance, it goes against their own ideals of equal opportunity secular and free spectacular pinnacle of development society etc. etc. etc.
We Muslims have a more humble claim, we just live life the way we were directed by Allah and our Prophet... so if we ask someone to take off their earrings, we are consistent with our ideals and at peace with ourselves
With all due respect.. I still fail to see where the real link with Islam is in this story ...
please point out the relevant sentence in case I have missed it..
Drac said:
.
.
Eco?
Is this dress for ladies?
.
.
of UAE
As-Sunnah As Saheeha
http://www.islamlecture.com/
honestly, there is more to CURB in sharjah which is non-islamic..than the these silly things..
the police is just making matters worse by creating a confusion of what is allowed or not allowed in islam!
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I express myself through hyperactivity and disruption. I wanted to play rather than study.
based on these Sayings....men are not allowed to wear jewellery except silver rings. Tatoos/body piercing is also forbidden...reason it has come from
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed men who make themselves look like women and women who make themselves look like men.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5435).
The Messenger of Allaah cursed men who wear women’s clothes and women who wear men’s clothes.” (Reported by Abu Dawood in al-Sunan, Kitaab al-Libaas, Baab fi libaas al-nisaa’
As-Sunnah As Saheeha
http://www.islamlecture.com/
lol brit, hope they don't ban my haircut
Sorry. forgive my old age :O), but where does it say anything about banning men from dressing like women ?
Alright, i will rephrase, some countries ban headcloth, sharjah has banned **** whatever***. Each have their reasons, and reasons seem fair to some, unfair to others.
thus the wearing of bracelet and earrings by men would be against this interpretation. Reread the article and you can see that this is the concern and justification, brit.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
From my understanding , islam only bans men from wearing Gold and Silk.. so how can banning silver be related to religion ?
It's their country and they can do what ever they like.
They don't have to take permission from foreigners to implement any law, if anyone does not like it,then he/she should go back to his/her country.
We have the same laws here in Qatar regarding the dressing code but the procedure is that I have to sue anyone breaks the law.
but find it patronizing to then excuse some as "less evolved". I would not say countries "evolve at different rates" as that is very akin to the misapplication of Darwinian theory in 19th century Europe that allowed for the dehumanization of non-Westerners.
And I think you and I both know that RELIGION is at the heart of the "decency act" no matter how the government likes to hide it.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
I beg to differ.. There is no statement saying that the decency law is related to any religion here..
As far as my comment about France is concerned, would you not agree that societies / cultures evolve at different rates. Why is it that you are able to enjoy certain freedoms in the USA and not in certain African or Gulf countries..
how selfish may be his absence in QL
As-Sunnah As Saheeha
http://www.islamlecture.com/
and Adey (sincerely I pray for their guidance)
As-Sunnah As Saheeha
http://www.islamlecture.com/
it doesn't expose any part of the body. Decency here is CLEARLY related to a strict (and warped in my view) interpretation of the dominant religion. These are the same people that banned the wearing of sari undergarments that exposed a woman's midriff because of indecency.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Secondly, I find you using France's "development" against them to impose a higher standard of human rights than you expect from an emirate to be patronizing and misplaced political correctness.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Always here to help the community :O)
Brit: so nice of you to point out that omission.
What would have happened to us without you? :-p
There are two major differences..
Firstly, If you read the full article, it clearly states that this has nothing to do with religion, but a "decency law" - Last Line "Islam forbids men from wearing gold and silk." (Which the poster mistakingly omitted :o))
Secondly, Sharjah is an Emirate. France is a developed society which allows freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
nice oversimplification :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
argue against the head scarf ban in France? I could have sworn you did, but maybe my memory is faulty.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Sounds more or less tit for tat issue of a hijab in western countries and a male accessories in sharjah. Not too sure what is the practical reason behind that all, but a hijab is a nice hideout for criminal, while diamond earing makes you look like a homos.
As for me, I am not interested in going to Sharjah anyway, but I do think it is an indicator of a larger trend in the Gulf and Middle East.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Let's take the religious aspect out for a minute please.
If a state wishes to enact and implement a law regarding dress code, then surely they are within their right to do so.. However, stupid we may feel it may be..
Speed : Most welcome. Do call me before you come .
"those 2 are Muslim dominated" :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Thats dumb..
I'd like to see a survey of how many countries have actually banned Christian iconography in public spaces. I know the US has banned it in Courts, yet they still allow women to go there in hijab...
2 countries does not constitute a "lot" and ironically those 2 are Muslim dominated.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Since when did 4 (and really 2) countries count as many. I also find it ironic that the 2 that have completely banned it are Muslim states.
Also the other 2 ( France and Germany) ban it as part of an overall ban of religious symbols in public, government funded areas.
The hijab has different legal and cultural statuses in various countries. There are currently four countries, including France (since 2004), which have banned the wearing of the hijab (a Muslim headscarf, literally Arabic "to cover") in public schools and universities or government buildings.[1]and banned in 8 states of Germany.
Currently Tunisia since 1981,[2] and Turkey since 1997,[3] are the only Muslim countries which have banned the hijab, in other Muslim states such as Morocco,[4] there has been some restrictions or discriminations against the hijab, the hijab in these cases are seen as a sign of political Islam or fundamentalism against secular government.
1. French MPs back headscarf ban BBC News (BBC). Retrieved on 13 February 2009.
2. a b Abdelhadi, MagdiTunisia attacked over headscarves, BBC News, September 26, 2006. Accessed June 6, 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijab_by_country
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Hapy,
Which country/state bans bracelets? To me this is like banning sunglasses. Just as stupid.
I have NEVER EVER heard of this.
FU, is it L parking or Pocket parking? lol
Oh well, what to expect.....
Sharjah is the 'religious quarter' of the UAE... and this causes them to remain slightly ignorant. I think this can easily be scientifically proven.
Hapy please list all the countries that ban hijab.
Lot of countries ban hijab, so what if sharjah bans bracelets and chains. Respect the law of land.
:-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
I don't understand why these things are a problem, is it because of religion?
what if in western country's prohibits the wearing of fan belts on the head
The governors of Sharjah are more religious than those in other emirates. Their TV channel is also more serious. However, males wearing silver shouldn't be a problem. It's gold that's considered feminine.
and my negativity stems from the intolerance and simmering unhappiness in the region.
I have no desire to live in NY (or even the US) Speed. Public nudity OR ridiculous "dress codes" are both extreme in my view.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
bringing back the old law...while Doha is catching up with UAE, now UAE wanted to be like Doha
will PM you before coming :-)
The negativity is brought about by us the individuals. If we choose, we can look atthe positive sides.
As far as your faith is concerned, it can be practiced whereever in the world you may be..
I am sure you'll have a great life in the Bahamas..please send a postcard..
there you go : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/20/nude-in-ny-where-to-strut_n_240914.html?slidenumber=1#slide_image
:-)
I like the openness of that world where there is no difference between Human and Animal.
My concern is that this kind of idea/law is catching on in the Gulf as a backlash to the openness of the past decade and its progress.
I have been out of Doha for almost 2 weeks and feel so much better being away from all the negativity of life in the Middle East. I'd been thinking for the last year or so that perhaps it is time for me to get out of this part of the world. I think my mental and physical health, as well as my faith, would flourish better in a more easy going environment.
Latin America is starting to look very good :-)
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Speed: no issues. I live in Dubai and I dont wear any accessories other than my wristwatch. :-)
That'll not only stop DaRuDe from going to Sharjah, but also put paid to most of the Western male expat population in Sharjah...
Sharjah is loaded with expats. And they probably figured that in these times of economic crisis, Sharjah would be an ideal place to bring back the old law as they'll be getting a nice haul of gold chains from all the Indians and Pinoys that live there :/
baldrick:I thought teenagers do get all sorts of piercings done these days and its a common thing. Why? I have no clue.
EMN: Shj is also the emirate where even 5 star restaurants are not supposed to serve alcohol. and apparently you cant be in the same room or car with a woman who is not ur sister or wife or mother. Have heard about instances where guys driving to drop a lady frnd getting arrested/punished with lashes.
what i dont understand is..... what makes sharjah so different from the other emirate?
Aana free, jaana free,
Pakde gaye tho khana free.
They will never grow up.
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Whenever I find the KEY to SUCCESS...Someone steals it.
"her 14-year-old son was scared when he was stopped by police who shouted at him for wearing diamond earrings"
WTF is a 14 y.o. boy doing wearing diamond earings in the first place!?!?!!?