Indecent Dressing Might Cost You Dearly In Dubai

Legal experts in Dubai have warned that Residents and tourists who dress "inappropriately" in public places can face up to three years jail time and deportation for "harming the country's public morals", after a heated online controversy across the country.

"There are no context or law that regulates or controls clothing limits or set penalties for it, but there is the Article 358 of the Federal Penal Code of the State, which says that indecent actions or anything that might be prejudicial to public morals made by a man or woman in public and could be considered as indecency would be punishable by six months to three years imprisonment and deportation, according to the first paragraph of the Article 121 of the same law,"


The UAE government's official website also asks tourists to "dress modestly".
"Emiratis dress conservatively in traditional dress and can be offended when people dress inappropriately or not in accordance with Islamic values," the website says.


It adds that both men and women "might feel more comfortable wearing loose-fitting clothes" that cover up the shoulders, arms and legs.
There is also no separate law for men and women


It is the duty of every resident and visitor to dress appropriately in public. Generally, ladies in public places like streets, shopping malls and restaurants etc, should wear shorts, skirts which are of appropriate length and down to the knee or of knee length. The authorities may punish an individual by imprisonment or impose fine on him or her for wearing indecent, vulgar or inappropriate dress in public. Beach wear and swim suits are only allowed in designated areas of beach or swimming pools."

Men should also follow appropriate dressing sense while they are in public. He said men should have shorts that reach to the knees, t-shirt or a shirt.
Clothing shall not indecently expose certain parts of the body, be it transparent or display obscene or offensive pictures, slogans, or gestures and anything that might cause religious or cultural offence, etc.
Most malls in Dubai have signs in place at the entry gates that warn visitors to dress appropriately. 

A spokesperson from one of the malls said in a statement to Khaleej Times: "We welcome diverse visitors, both residents and tourists from all over the world throughout the year. We remind visitors' about the culturally appropriate dress code and behaviour in the UAE with messaging at our malls' entrances,which is in line with the government guidelines on dress code, to help guide our visitors and ensure the comfort of all guests."

Khaleej