Navigate Dubai with Confidence: Understanding the Public Decency Law in 2024

Dubai is a luxurious and vibrant country. It is a tourist destination for many countries in the world. Clubbing, beaches, pool parties, alcohol, and nightclubbing attract tourists the most. Dubai, being a famous tourist destination, has many things to do. But with many things to do, you might definitely want to apply for a visa before travelling to Dubai, and hence Dubai  E Visa Online lets you know about the public decency law in Dubai in 2024 and how you can apply for a visa through an online method. 

Exploring the desert, enjoying the sunset, playing on sand dunes, and relaxing on the sand is a completely new experience. Dubai is very famous for its luxury cars, like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martin, which can be seen often in the streets. Here are places where you can actually drive the car of your dreams. The only seven-star hotel in the world is in Dubai, which is Burj al-Arab. Apart from the luxurious lifestyle, travelling, and staying, there are several rules and regulations that must be followed to spend a decent time in Dubai.

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Definition of public indecency in Dubai:

Article 358 of the UAE penal code states that anyone who breaks the law related to public decency shall be sentenced to detention for a minimum term of six months, whoever has flagrantly committed an indecent act.

This means if a person is found breaching the rules of decency, like holding hands, kissing, hugging, wearing sexually explicit clothes, drinking alcohol, or consuming drugs, they can be led to jail for a minimum of 6 months or fined.

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Public decency laws in Dubai in 2024

1. Clothing in Dubai:

There is no such dress code for travellers in Dubai. A person is free to wear anything that they want, but it should be decent. People are not allowed to wear clothes that are too exposed. For women, the dress should cover the body from shoulder to knee, avoid wearing see-through clothes, and avoid showing cleavage or wearing tights in public. For men, it is not allowed to show their bare chest or wear shorts in public. In Dubai, wearing such clothing is considered a disgrace to the modesty of the country. However, all these restrictions only apply to public places. But in places like the swimming pool, beach, or pool party, wearing shorts and bikinis is allowed

Dress code for the mosque: If you want to visit a mosque in Dubai, there are certain rules that you must follow. Women have to cover their hair and the entire body. Women have to wear abayas. For men, it is not allowed to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, and they don’t have to cover their hair. Shoes should be removed outside the mosques while entering for both men and women.

Like many other Islamic countries in the world, Dubai is more liberal as compared to other Islamic countries in the world. Tourists are allowed to travel to any religious place without any restriction. However, a traveller must respect the religious values of the country. During Ramadan (the holy month of Islam), consuming any meal in public from sunrise to sunset is prohibited, although visitors could eat food in their hotel room. Consuming drugs in Dubai is a punishable offence. If a person is caught taking drugs, he or she will have to face the consequences and can be prosecuted for such activity. 

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2. Public display of affection

Holding hands or kissing in public is not allowed in Dubai. It is illegal to have sex between unmarried couples. Travellers must follow all these rules and regulations to avoid any kind of difficulty. Any person found doing such things in public can be sentenced to jail for one year. In a recent case, a couple of British origins were arrested for kissing in a public place in Dubai.

3. Alcohol

The Ministry of the Interior in Dubai issues licences for people wishing to drink alcohol. In Dubai, it is a crime to buy alcohol from the shop or carry it with you to your home without a licence. Moreover, tourists are allowed to drink in hotel bars without any restriction. Drinking alcohol in public is a serious offence in Dubai, which is part of the public decency laws and can lead you to jail.

4. Drugs 

Drugs are strictly prohibited in Dubai, and there is zero percent tolerance for any person found consuming drugs. There is a four-year imprisonment provision for any person found consuming a drug or carrying it in their pocket or bag. There is a punishment of the death penalty for a person found involved in any kind of drug trafficking. Some common drugs, such as poppy seeds, codeine, marijuana, opium, and other narcotic substances, are completely banned in Dubai. 

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5. Homosexuality

The act of homosexuality is punishable in Dubai. It is considered illegal and can result in one year of imprisonment. There has been a case where 17 foreign men were arrested for cross-dressing. Hence, it is important to follow all the public decency laws as and how they are said. 

6. Eating in public transport

Eating and drinking are prohibited on any form of public transport. Consuming food and beverages on public transport or in metros can cost a penalty of 100 dirhams.

7. Photography in the UAE

Photography of government buildings and military bases is strictly prohibited in Dubai. Photography of women without their permission is an offence. The police in Dubai can arrest you for such an act. 

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Hence, by knowing about the public decency law in Dubai, you can stay alert as to how you need to behave in Dubai and what you need to avoid in order to respect their culture. 

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