Sharjah introduces decency laws
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/sharjah-s-decency-law-takes-ef...
The New "Decency and Public Conduct Rules and Objectives" will be implemented today, according to Col. Saleh Ali Al Mutawa, Acting Commander-in-chief of the Sharjah Police.
Al Mutawa said yesterday that the Sharjah Police would start implementing Law on decency and public conduct in accordance with the directions of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Al Mutawa added that he had already given his directions to Sharjah Police to enforce the new rules.
"Offenders will be given verbal warnings. They will also be given booklets to enhance their awareness of the new rules. Those who fail to respond positively, will be penalised. They can be deprived of public services until they respect the rules," said Al Mutawa.
He added that the rules aimed at protecting public values and decency, and providing a peaceful atmosphere for residents and tourists, in accordance with the UAE Federal Constitution.
"The new rules are an invitation to everybody in the emirate, Muslims and non-Muslims, to respect decency and sublime values," said Al Mutawa.
He added that the rules would also target tourists throughout the emirate, including swimmers at public beaches. "Hotels and private swimming pools will be excluded, as the personnel of these hotels will be instructed to ensure that swimmers wear swim suits only on the beaches and at the swimming pools inside hotels," Al Mutawa said.
He added that the police would not interfere to enforce the new rules at public and private educational establishments, as watchmen and security officers would be following-up the implementation of these rules at their establishments.
Al Mutawa urged the public to cooperate with the Sharjah Police. The rules, he said, would not conflict with public freedoms which were protected by the UAE constitution. "The Rules will be implemented gradually in a bid to protect the community from any imported values," he said.
Full details of the the Decency and Public Conduct Rules and Objectives were published recently by the Sharjah Government in a booklet in the seven languages mainly used in the emirate, Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, Urdu and Malayalam.
According to the new rules, men should not wear very short shorts in public, or commercial places, like malls and public offices, or go about bare chested. National men should not go about solely in the 'ezar' in public places (the 'ezar is the local national male underwear).
Women should not wear clothing that exposes the stomach and back, short skirts above the knee, and tight and transparent clothing that reveals the body. Swimmers should not wear bathing costumes in public places.
To protect women's privacy, men are not allowed to visit "ladies only" places, except in acceptable circumstances, in accordance with society's norms.
A man and a woman who are not in a legally acceptable relationship should not, according to the booklet, be alone in public places, or in suspicious times or circumstances.
People, furthermore, should not engage in acts of harassment that violate public decency.
Mosques have their holiness and their sanctity. This must be respected. People should attend in proper clothing, avoid sleep wear, or clothing that has images on it, or improper slogans.
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I'm glad that they are being clear on what does and does not constitute "decent" dress (although I still believe this whole region should just tell people to wear thobe and abaya and cut the bulls&&t)
but I think they're being a big vague on the "man and a woman who are not in a legally acceptable relationship should not, according to the booklet, be alone in public places"
Does this mean I can't walk around a mall with my male friend?
TTheir country their rules. 'n like tinker Bell said in the other thread if u don't like it beat it! lol
"Does not expose the stomach/back".....that means saree-blouse not permitted then. Well, ladies pack up your transparent sarees and backless cholis.
I can tell you Mimi. You can't talk to or be in the company of a male not related to you. UNLESS your husband/mahram is with you.
Public places is any place outside your home.
Why are you furious on this issue cherukkan? I think it's a great move by the Sharjah gov't to clear up a lot of confusion about what is and what is not modest dress. I wish they'd been a bit clearer on what constitutes illegal relationships though.
Why I am so furious on that issue. I should say it is none of my business to comment on that. It is the law of that country and just obey if I want to be there.
Rizks, Even you will not be allowed there to wear your neatly ironed lungi.
Good on them.
Trillion times i hav been stopped to visit a public place called 'Souq Waqif' wearing my nicely Ironed lungis...:(
I would love their decency laws. I would be gratful if the same has to be imposed in Qatar.
In public places two unrelated people should not be together or alone by themselves ...there should be a third person along with them. How difficult is that to understand.
fubar...mall paying taxis couples are not thats why mall can't be ban. :))
Got out of topic... the kids are in Qatar, that is why the link...
http://www.facebook.com/jacksonnadia
BTW if you have not yet liked it, check the link above... one more example of the wonderful muslim laws, no pun intended, but when it goes over Human Rights, I am sorry, it´s just too much...
Shame there is no ´like´ button here... LMFAO!!! about all comments,...hahahaha
The rest, gosh, like always, nothing new in the Middle East.
BTW if you have not yet liked it, check the link below... one more example of the wonderful muslim laws, no pun intended, but when it goes over Human Rights, I am sorry, it´s just too much...
http://www.facebook.com/jacksonnadia
How can you be alone in a public place. The whole concept is an oxymoron.
fair enough
Wouldn't it just be much easier to ban MALLS, rather than banning couples?
LP, the clause is clear "if they are alone in public places, or in suspicious times or circumstances".
recognized "illegal" couples! Lol!
cherukkhan, some shops are open 24-hours.
A man and a woman who are not in a legally acceptable relationship should not, according to the booklet, be alone in public places, or in suspicious times or circumstances.
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Public??
what if he said she is my friend :P
private ???
what if he said she is my friend with benifits :P
and yes we were going to the mall after we finish what we already started ;)
MM, It is not for those who are going to the malls during shop hours with boy friends or girl friends. It is for those who are "alone in public places, or in suspicious times or circumstances". If you are going with your boy friend after the normal shop hours you might be in trouble.
Damsil, the reason I saw this article is because there's a big protest going on from a group of Emirati's & expats regarding how scantily some people dress at the malls and in other public places. :)
"Full details of the the Decency and Public Conduct Rules and Objectives were published recently by the Sharjah Government in a booklet in the seven languages mainly used in the emirate, Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, Urdu and Malayalam."
Genius idea - actually tell people what the rules are, rather than shouting at women in malls for not knowing magically what clothing is or isn't acceptable.
oh...2oo1....did it get lost somewhere and was just recently rediscovered???
LoL- That's what I'm talking about... LOL
oh...what does that remind me of...ah yes!! Saudi!
Well, at least there ARE rules...now, how they will be interpreted...that's a different story ;)
I really think people should make it easy...let ALL women wear abaya and all men thobe. There, no problems!
Also, I am a little miffed I can't walk around in a bathing suit in public places over there...it was such a nice habit!:P
MM- This was published in 2001, Looking at UAE today, I am thinking that this law has been ammended (?) ;)
ROFLING!!! I just realized that this is from 2001! HAHAHAHA.
Someone linked to these on another site discussing the twitter campaign in the UAE for stricter dress codes. Perhaps I should have checked the date before posting. :D
Walking in a mall with a (female) friend is NOT normal, it's horror!
walking along with a friend in a mall is normal I think. Now if you are seen in a public park or place acting "suspiciously" (like there is something really sweet between you) and the place is quite secluded although a part of a public place) or park's not-so-lighted areas, then that's a different case.
Swimmers should not wear bathing costumes in public places.
so what to wear...
You can - three meters behind him!
happy news