Dubai detains 79 for indecent behavior
Monday, July 14, 2008 5:47:51 PM
By BARBARA SURK
Westerners were getting too racy on the beaches of this Persian Gulf tourist haven, and a police crackdown on topless sunbathing, nudity and other indecent behavior has resulted in 79 arrests in recent days.
Undercover officers are strolling the sand while others stand guard in new watchtowers to enforce the social mores of this Muslim city-state, which is a booming business center that is attracting growing hordes of foreign tourists.
Authorities said they began the decency campaign after police detained a British man and a woman who were allegedly having sex on one of Dubai's sprawling beaches earlier this month.
In the past two weeks, police have detained a total of 79 people whose behavior was "disturbing families enjoying the beach," Zuhair Haroun, a spokesman for Dubai's Criminal Investigation Department, said Monday.
First-time offenders may be issued a warning, but if caught twice, tourists could be referred to the public prosecutor for possible criminal charges, authorities said.
Thousands of European and Asian expatriates live and work in Dubai, where native Emiratis make up only about 20 percent of the estimated 1.2 million residents. Shopping malls and fast food restaurants have replaced traditional Arab houses, and English has overtaken Arabic as the emirate's lingua franca.
Many Emiratis and Arabs visiting from other Persian Gulf countries increasingly feel Dubai's ambition to become a cosmopolitan metropolis and tourist destination is overrunning their own traditions and contradict what they feel is culturally acceptable.
Unlike elsewhere in the conservative Persian Gulf, tourists in Dubai are often seen wearing skimpy bikinis on public beaches and walk the city's streets in shorts. Alcohol is freely available in hotel bars and restaurants in this regional businesses and entertainment hub.
While pursuing the police crackdown, Dubai has embarked on a public awareness campaign to remind its Western visitors and foreign residents that the city may have flashy hotels and glitzy skyscrapers but it also is a Muslim country with traditionally conservative values.
The city is installing signs warning tourists in Arabic, English and several other languages not to sunbathe topless or change clothes in public, said Abdullah Mohammed Rafia, an official with the Dubai Municipality whose office is overseeing the public awareness campaign.
Authorities are "taking action in response to numerous complaints" filed by people who visit the city's beaches, Rafia said. Complaints have ranged from families "offended by displays of nudity" to women sunbathers who say groups of men stare at them while at the beach.
The police campaign also will target people who harass beachgoers with acts "deemed offensive, immoral or disrespectful," including loitering and voyeurism, said Dubai's acting police chief, Maj. Gen. Khamis Mattar al-Mazeina.
Some tourists who were enjoying Dubai's simmering sun Monday said the new campaign left them confused about what is considered appropriate in Dubai.
"I understand that I have to respect the rules of the country," said John MacLean, a British tourist on holiday with his girlfriend. But, he added, "I am not sure if I can kiss her or touch her in public."
Arien...agree with you 100%
why why why DUBAI?????????????????
There is no other better destination which gives you freedom to leisure and enjoy your holidays??..
Go to Mauritius, Mombasa, Zanzibar... They are the real beaches which you wouldnt find anywher else.
I really dont understand why should you go to Dubai for beach Tourism. Horrible climate and lota rules and restrictions.
unfortunately lambasted by the MINORITY (as Mr. Paul call them).
"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"
I think all visitors to any country should repect the law of the land. you are requested to remove ur head gear when entering a church, part of the custom and relgious requirements.
So best for tourist coming to Dubai, should actually study and understand to some extent what is allowed and not allowed.
Saying this I applaud Dubai, who has really set a standard for tolerance. So therefore we should not abuse their hospitality and customs in the name of tourism. If you wanna be nude, go anywhere in Europe, Thailand or America it is acceptable there.
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HE WHO DARES WINS
whilst I agree that when we are in other countries we should try to adhere as much as possible to their culture so as not to offend, it can be difficult.
Like Mr P said, it is the minority who think it is their right wherever they are to act as they wish and don't care about offending anyone, they give others a bad name and it is hard to gain respect back once it is lost.
We should all be judged on our own merits, not on the actions of some.
It is extremely offensive - bad enough with hetro couples but gays! OMG - grab the gin!~
is permissible BUT let's admit it, generally speaking, the level of intimacy, "flirting" or "romance" or whatever you call it, between married couple and unmarried couple is different.
If ever caught, I think the authorities will give credence as to whether married or not (just a presumption).
Sometimes, unintentionally, we go over the limit unknowingly and it's too late to realized it. The data of Mr. Paul regarding tourism in Dubai is very informative. Now as to the level of acceptance by the Dubai rulers in terms of tolerance to tourists behavior while in Dubai is another thing.
And Qatar is way, way behind Dubai in terms of this thing. And one will presume that the culture of local authorities here is more conservative than there.
"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"
other Arab states, are there for the drinking also, I have seen them myself boarding planes for Abu Dhabi in their traditional clothing then changing into normal stuff on the plane.
it is very difficult to know what is deemed disrespectful to others, as the man said, he is unsure if he can kiss or even hold hands in public, if they want to attract tourism, they do need to show a little more leniency towards people from different cultures.
http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/tourism.htm#Dubai
Dubai
Independent studies show that the tourism industry has accounted for a steadily increasing percentage of Dubai’s GDP, with some estimates putting it as high as 20 per cent. In fact tourism is expected to over take oil exports as an important source of revenue in the near future. Dubai’s 255 hotels have a total of 17,253 rooms and occupancy in 1998 a veraged 49.3 per cent. Since January 1997 when the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (D TCM) took over from the Tourism and Trade Promotion Council, there has been renewed focus on worldwide promotion of Dubai as an ideal tourist destination and a thriving commercial center. This has involved setting up the DTCM representative offices in many countries across the globe as well as participation in numerous international tourism fairs. In addition, the DTCM has launched very successful advertising campaigns worldwide. The DTCM also organizes tourism-related exhibitions in Dubai. Early in 1999 it hosted the Arabian Marine Tourism Conference, the first of its kind to be held in the region. In May more than 500 exhibitors from 40 countries participated in the Arab Travel Market 99, which was also held under the auspices of the DTCM. Not surprisingly, since the number of tourists is expected to reach three million by the end of the year 2000, Dubai has a number of major tourism-related projects coming on-stream.
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
why do they need to come to Dubai to bare the tops?
who spoil it for the rest...
Always has been, always will be.
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
is now happening. Tolerance of local authorities in tis part of the world is not that conservative, after-all. Yes, there will be a lot of confusion this crackdown will bring but it's their country and what will prevail is their laws.
We just have to wait what will be the effect on their tourism industry but who knows, do they really care about it?
Maybe the westerners members of QL will respond loudly on this topic. Come-on, want to continue testing the water?????????
"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"