Is it illegal to hold hands in the UAE?

Q Is it illegal to hold hands in the UAE, or just rude?

A UAE society is conservative, and the majority of the population is Muslim, so such behaviour is frowned upon. However, there is no article in the UAE laws that forbids hand-holding, even if the couple are not married, unless the act itself developed into a crime such as adultery.

Is it illegal for men to have long hair in the UAE?

Any personal behaviour is lawful as long as it respects the law, and since there is no legal restriction or provision banning or preventing a man from having long hair, it is absolutely lawful.

Has anyone been arrested in the UAE for eating, drinking or smoking in Ramadan in public?

There have been cases where people were either jailed or fined for eating in public during the holy month. Offenders were most often fined, rather than jailed.

The law does not oblige a non-Muslim to fast nor does it forbid eating during Ramadan. However, it prohibits all citizens and residents from eating in public during fasting time in Ramadan, where Article 313 of the Penal Code stipulates that: “Any person who eats food, drinks or takes any other necessities in a public place during the day in Ramadan or forces, incites or assists in such a demonstration, shall be punished by the imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding Dh2,000.”

Therefore, some types of behaviour such as smoking while driving, drinking or eating in public places during fasting times are deemed to be criminal behaviour by law because it harms the feelings of fasting people and the customs and traditions of the UAE. Even people who are sick are not legally allowed to eat or drink in public. This also includes all non-Muslims, who are not allowed to eat during the day in Ramadan in public.