A British woman was arrested by Dubai authorities for walking semi-naked through the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest. It is believed that the woman got into an argument with a local woman as she walked in a low-cut top, following which she undressed down to her bikini in full public view.
According to the Foreign Office, the police took her away but subsequently dropped the charges.
There have been previous incidents where Britons have been found flouting the Emirate’s strict laws. In 2008, two Britons were jailed for having sex on the beach while another couple was jailed for a month for kissing in the public this year.
The Dubai mall has many signboards urging women to “please wear respectful clothing – For example, Shoulders and knees should be covered” and messages are also flashed on LCD screens. However, Dubai has vague laws on dressing in public unlike other Emirates, often causing confusion among tourists and the local public.
The foreign office advises Dubai bound British tourists on its website to respect local customs, laws and religions and warns that women should dress modestly when in public areas such as shopping malls. Clothes are required to cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. Britons are most likely to be arrested in the UAE than any other country in the world.
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