Crackdown On Topless Bathing In Dubai

Undercover Cops Patrol Beaches In Drive To Eliminate Nudity, Indecent Behavior

(AP)  Westerners were getting too racy on the beaches of this Persian Gulf tourist haven, and a police crackdown on topless sunbathing, nudity and other indecent behavior has resulted in 79 arrests in recent days.

Undercover officers are strolling the sand while others stand guard in new watchtowers to enforce the social mores of this Muslim city-state, which is a booming business center that is attracting growing hordes of foreign tourists.

Authorities said they began the decency campaign after police detained a British man and a woman who were allegedly having sex on one of Dubai's sprawling beaches earlier this month.

Over the past two weeks, police have detained a total of 79 people whose behavior was "disturbing families enjoying the beach," Zuhair Haroun, a spokesman for Dubai's Criminal Investigation Department, said Monday.

First-time offenders may be issued a warning, but if caught twice, tourists could be referred to the public prosecutor for possible criminal charges, authorities said.

Thousands of European and Asian expatriates live and work in Dubai, where native Emiratis make up only about 20 percent of the estimated 1.2 million residents. Shopping malls and fast food restaurants have replaced traditional Arab houses, and English has overtaken Arabic as the emirate's lingua franca.

Many Emiratis and Arabs visiting from other Persian Gulf countries increasingly feel Dubai's ambition to become a cosmopolitan metropolis and tourist destination is overrunning their own traditions and contradict what they feel is culturally acceptable.

Unlike elsewhere in the conservative Persian Gulf, tourists in Dubai are often seen wearing skimpy bikinis on public beaches and walk the city's streets in shorts. Alcohol is freely available in hotel bars and restaurants in this regional businesses and entertainment hub.

While pursuing the police crackdown, Dubai has embarked on a public awareness campaign to remind its Western visitors and foreign residents that the city may have flashy hotels and glitzy skyscrapers but it also is a Muslim country with traditionally conservative values.

The city is installing signs warning tourists in Arabic, English and several other languages not to sunbathe topless or change clothes in public, said Abdullah Mohammed Rafia, an official with the Dubai Municipality whose office is overseeing the public awareness campaign.

Authorities are "taking action in response to numerous complaints" filed by people who visit the city's beaches, Rafia said. Complaints have ranged from families "offended by displays of nudity" to women sunbathers who say groups of men stare at them while at the beach.

The police campaign also will target people who harass beachgoers with acts "deemed offensive, immoral or disrespectful," including loitering and voyeurism, said Dubai's acting police chief, Maj. Gen. Khamis Mattar al-Mazeina.

Some tourists who were enjoying Dubai's simmering sun Monday said the new campaign left them confused about what is considered appropriate in Dubai.

"I understand that I have to respect the rules of the country," said John MacLean, a British tourist on holiday with his girlfriend. But, he added, "I am not sure if I can kiss her or touch her in public."

[minnick8-2009]

I don''t care what has been built in Dubai or how attractive it is, or how popular it is, I will never go there. I can''t imagine why Westerners would want to give even more money to the Arabs that we already do just buying gas at home. There must be someplace else on the planet to go to vacation without going to the Middle East.

[husein_pasha]

There are special nudist beaches for such people. About the s.e.x at the beach- it`s awful, there is place and time for everything. Actually these tourists may come here, here many females go topless at the beach

[loneeagle57]

We also don''''t allow nude people to run around on public beaches.

Posted by Displeased at 01:20 PM : Jul 15, 2008
______
Not on public beaches but we do have nude beaches.

[displeased]

Just like in the USA, Americans have to live with other cultures and the way others dress and other religions weather we like it or not.
Posted by XmanBorg

Regardless how visitors dress or behave, they still have to follow our laws or be arrested. We also don''t allow nude people to run around on public beaches.

[displeased]

Well Dubai you welcomed a lot of people from the WEST and now you have to live with our customs and different values.
Posted by XmanBorg

No they don''t. Its their country, they can make whatever rules they want. It''s up to the visitors to respect them.

[xmanborg]

Well Dubai you welcomed a lot of people from the WEST and now you have to live with our customs and different values. Just like in the USA, Americans have to live with other cultures and the way others dress and other religions weather we like it or not. We have to deal with people who do not want to learn English and want to speak spanish all the time.

Call me what you want but if I am in another country I will do my best to learn their language.

[minnick8-2009]

Why would any Westerner even go to Dubai? Don''t the Arabs have enough of our money all ready without us going there to "Vacation?"

[connapa]

They probably asked for "*** on the beach", and when they found out that Dubai is a Moslem country and drinking is against the law, figured that they would take it literally, instead.

[shawnp20]

Westerners think they can go anywhere and do anything they want... anytime they want. That is why the world hates us!!! Ask yourself this... how many times have you made a comment about foreigners moving to America and needing to "learn the language"? If you want foreigners to live by your rules here at home.... then you have to live by their rules when in their home!!!

[dedad1]

Those weren''''t mush mellons that Adam was playing with!


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Posted by shado269 at 11:39 AM : Jul 15, 2008


LOL!!!

[dedad1]

guy_hero...one more time... in English please

[dedad1]

Look in Genisis. That''''s why Adam And Eve had to leave paradise, they were bouncing checks.


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Posted by anecdote1 at 10:30 AM : Jul 15, 2008

No, they were embezzling fruit under their fig leaves

[displeased]

We only condone war and murder!!!
Posted by jh6379

jh6379, you''re referring to the wrong country...

And what is wrong with decency laws. I go skinny dipping with my girlfriend sometimes, but we won''t do it at a public beach with families watching. Saudi Arabia is not evil for this crackdown.

[dedad1]

when in Rome...

[loneeagle57]

no
we must stop rising gas prices
we must stop rising food prices

[credibility2]

Selfishness and ego makes individuals act indecently in public. The people doing this have sense of morality nor any regard for others. This hasn''t anything to do with a largely Muslim nation. Christians and Jews also abhor indecent behavior and conduct. These idiots should be arrested. For the one couple to have been engaged in intercourse on a large beach without any regard to others was absolutely inappropriate.

[loneeagle57]

It''s time for these third world countries to come into the 21st century. Granted on public beaches are just what they are, public. There are children visiting please dress accordingly, However, if this is becoming a problem then instead of arresting people why not set a nude beach? Then maybe I might visit.

[loneeagle57]

Hey guy-hero, Where the Hell did you learn English?

[anecdote1]

so ... toplessness leads to financial meltdown? is this in the bible?
Posted by bobnjersey at 10:13 AM

Look in Genisis. That''s why Adam And Eve had to leave paradise, they were bouncing checks.

[bobnjersey]

[Topless sunbathers on a PUBLIC beach are shameless. Maybe, if people in the US and Europe had a little more sense of decency/shame, we wouldn''''t be in the middle of a financial meltdown. ]
[Posted by anon00 at 09:51 AM : Jul 15, 2008]

so ... toplessness leads to financial meltdown? is this in the bible?