Five things tourists can’t do in Dubai
Foreigners travelling to the United Arab Emirates told to obey a range of local laws and customs
Tourists travelling to Dubai have been warned they risk hefty fines and imprisonment if they fall foul of local laws and customs.
The Foreign Office advises Britons travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be aware of their actions to ensure that they don’t offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or while visiting religious areas.
The Gulf state has notoriously strict rules when it comes to drugs and alcohol.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences and traffickers risk the death penalty if caught, while alcohol can only be consumed by tourists in designated areas.
But there are also a number of stranger ways foreigners can find themselves in trouble with the law.
Swearing or making rude gestures
“Dubai is very conservative when it comes to bad language,” says the BBC. Swearing, insults and making rude gestures are considered obscene acts and offenders can be fined or jailed.
Last year, a British man was arrested for sticking his middle finger up at another motorist while driving to Dubai International Airport. The 23-year-old faced six months in jail for the crime, but was released after his accuser failed to turn up in court.
Importing pork or porn
Importing pork products and pornography into the UAE is illegal, the Foreign Office says. Videos, books and magazines may be subject to scrutiny and censored.
In 2007, a Japanese engineer was arrested at Dubai airport after customs officials found 77 pornographic DVDs in his luggage, The Independent reports.
Cross-dressing
Cross-dressing is illegal in the UAE and anyone caught doing so risks being imprisoned. Last year, two Singaporean nationals, one of whom is transgender, were given a one-year jail sentence after they were caught wearing women's clothes in public and “behaving indecently”.
Using electronic cigarettes
E-cigarettes are illegal and risk being confiscated by authorities at airports and borders. However, the government is considering lifting the ban, according to the UAE’s English-language newspaper, The National.
Having sex if you’re not married
All sex outside marriage is illegal in Dubai. If the authorities become aware that a person is conducting a sexual relationship outside marriage, they run the risk of prosecution, imprisonment and/or a fine and deportation, according to the Foreign Office.
Kissing and hugging in public are also strictly prohibited, as is living or sharing a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex unless you are married or closely related. However, the BBC notes that tourists are rarely prosecuted for this.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What's next for electric vehicles under Trump?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for Tesla's Elon Musk?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published