Politician to propose dress code law for UAE
Members of the UAE national parliament will today demand a crackdown on people wearing inappropriate clothes and public displays of affection.
Federal national councillors are to quiz the culture minister, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, on what can be done to stop people wearing skimpy outfits while shopping and couples getting intimate in public places, following a barrage of complaints.
The FNC campaign is led by Dubai member Hamad Ahmad Al Rahmoumi, who told 7DAYS he had received “many, many complaints” from UAE nationals upset by the behaviour of some expats and tourists.
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Politician to propose dress code law for UAE after behaviour and attire of shoppers leaves a sour taste
He said he also wants a UAE-wide law to address the issues after recently seeing “a man with his hand behind his girlfriend’s back, putting his hand down her jeans as they walked”.
Al Rahmoumi added: “I was with my children in the mall. Many people were shocked and came to me and said, ‘Do you see what he is doing?’ This is what we have to stop.”
Al Rahmoumi claims to have majority support in the Federal National Council, which can recommend changes in UAE law to the cabinet.
Al Rahmoumi added: “There is one law in Dubai, another one in Sharjah, another one in Abu Dhabi. We need one national law to stop this behaviour.”
However, he stressed the vast majority of expats respect the law as it stands, saying: “Only one per cent cause offence, the other 99 per cent won’t even notice a difference. We welcome people from all over the world here.”
Al Rahmoumi said that if his proposed bill is passed, he would like to see brochures handed out at airports and malls to advice people about UAE law and customs, so authorities can put an early stop to any problems.
“If you go to the races in the UK, people wear the three-piece suit and the top hat,” he said. “Even members of our royal family wear this. You should respect the local custom wherever you are, so we ask the same here.”
Nasif Kayed, director of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, said: “Modesty for us is about not showing off the gifts that God has given you - wealth, health and your beauty. To do so can cause feelings of inferiority and intimidation.
“When everyone dresses modestly, it is a way for everyone to be equal, regardless of their wealth or their background.”
The FNC debate comes as a ‘UAE Dress Code’ campaign, launched by two Emirati women, is trending on Twitter.
sean@7days.ae
Comments
by annie
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 6:13PM
“Don't CLAIM someone's HOUSE and take CONTROL OVER it. IT is Shameful to do that. Let the Govt take the decision to decide what is good for the country and for the people. RESPECT UR HOST COUNTRY. While you give respect you get Respect. Today I saw a lady who was scantily dressed and had to cover herself in the metro after she read the " Wear Respectful Clothing" flashing on the screen of the METRO tv. How shameful it was for all others to see her desperately trying to cover herself with her bag. She was scared as well.... My question is ....Why do you want so much public attention? No one is interested to see your over exposed skin. We Feel Ashamed to see that nor is the decent public interested in that...except for few lustful eyes...”
by Barbara Blacksheep
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 8:24PM
“Saudi Arabia and Iran also have a federal dress code don't they?”
by kitty2wp
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 3:27PM
“Unfortunately many visitors spoil it for the ex-pats who would like to wear a sleeveless summed dress or a pair of shorts just above the knee. I blame the parents who walk in the malls with their 15 and 16 yr old blonde daughters who are 5ft + and their shorts are barely covering there butt. And many girls walking with mini shirts barely covering their underwear and high heels to emphasise it. I keep my shorts and and little skirts for when i'm home in summer. The guilty parties must be approached immediately by security and asked to cover up.”
by djoanes1
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 1:46PM
“I would like the FNC to focus less on what people are wearing and more on fixing numerous problems such as trafficking, domestic abuse, and an extraordinarily high road death rate. Compared to the enormity of these problems, what you choose to wear seems somewhat trivial. Let's get our priorities right.”
by Aboo Hajima
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 12:05PM
“I strongly support the initative taken by UAE government. This kind of action tobe implimented immediately. I also noticed this kind of action which is to be happened within the bedroom many times in Metro and buses. Specially one community occuppied Dubai this happened worse and worse publically.
I appreciate and thank UAE government, Ministries, FNC members and other officieals who raised this issued and solved by activating strict law. They should impose heavy fine on who doesnt follow dressing code law. I reqest once Law activited it should be delivered public by means of all medias and advertise at all malls, all metro stations, all bus terminus even within the transport. Also give a week time to follow all people who entered UAE to follow this rule after which heavy spot fine should be imposed.”
by Will Breitholtz
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 11:27AM
“I completely support Hamad Ahmad Al Rahmoumi's efforts with this - it is just common decency to dress properly in public. I am a western expat and I am often surprised by some people's dress sense in public areas (people of ALL nationalisties btw). As Al Rahmoumi said "99 per cent won't even notice a difference" so hopefully he will be successful in his efforts.”
by Abdulraheem
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 9:30AM
“when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her. Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. There is nothing touches our imagination so much as a beautiful woman in a plain dress.”
by Aboo Hajima
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 8:46AM
“Good initative. Hope the FNC members and will implement this law all over UAE. With Dress code law sure our youngsters will be saved from evil of sins.
I noticed many time this kindly mischievs in Metro and buses.
Thanks to RULERS OF UAE, Memebers of FNC and all other Government authorities who are going to impliment this dress code. Also I request you to make strict laws to commercial outlest who display and sell these kind of dress which really spoil the dress code.”
by Shabir
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 8:16AM
“I totally support your news item of today "Politician to propose dress code law for UAE" and hope the FNC will pass such law. UAE's liberal attitude has been taken by some expats and tourists for granted, now it is has become beyond control. Almost all the shopping centers display signage asking visitors to wear respectful clothing but it is blatantly ignored.
On the other hand, bedroom behavior is demonstrated on the streets. We should not blame only the Westerners for this but other nationalities are also equally guilty of these offences.
Just walk in the streets of Satwa in Dubai you will see a particular community of women, most of them are dressed in less than 6 inches of shorts and a skinney walking around. One could really mistake them to "Call Girls". Wearing shorts by women and walking in public is not fitting to the UAE's culture.
I wonder why these people who have come to make a living in this country do not respect it's culture. UAE has tolerated so much and now the only way is to "force the rule" then people will follow it. As they say "spare the rod and spoil the child" is something to be given serious consideration..”
by Gavtek
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 8:15AM
“I just hope whatever law they implement, they do it sensibly and target the correct people, otherwise they will just scare off more tourists. We don't need people patrolling the malls with measuring tapes checking if skirts are close enough to the knee or if a strap on a top covers enough of the shoulder. There definitely needs to be a little give and take from both sides. If they want to build Dubai up as the premier tourist destination, they need to accept some of the things that go along with it. You can't have your cake and eat it too.”