Dubai, a Sin-Free City

Unlike Las Vegas, the city of sin and lust, where anything can happen, Dubai has clamped down on tourists to abide by their strict Muslim rules. Just in recent times, these laws have come under the spotlight with hundreds of tourists striking trouble (and even jail sentences in several cases) because of their so-called improper behaviour.

The Atlantis Casino Resort in Dubai, one of the best attraction for tourists

Recently published by the British Foreign Office was an article relating to the ’Dos and Don’ts’ when traveling to Dubai, to not only make the public aware, but also bring the ever uprising problems to a halt.

Between April 2008 and March 2009, there were recorded 294 arrests and detentions of British tourists. Violations of the Muslim laws included holding hands in public, kissing, wearing inappropriate clothing, drinking alcohol, having any quantity of illegal or prescripted drugs or even , to top it off, dancing in public.

Some of the cases include:

•   Charlotte Adams, 26, from Essex, and Ayman Najafi, 25, of North London, being jailed for a 'peck on the cheek' at a restaurant in March.
•   Sally Antia and Marnie Pearce, both British women around the age of 40, have both been jailed for adultery.
•   BBC DJ Raymond Bingham was jailed for four years after taking 2.16 grams of cannabis to Dubai.

All in all, Dubai is an architectural masterpiece of a city with some amazingly designed buildings and landscapes, which does draw the attention of rich tourists, year in and year out. But because of these very strict Muslim rules, it might have severe consequences to Dubai’s tourist industry, which could be a scary fact when the oil dries up.

What are your thoughts on Dubai’s rules and regulations? Would you rather party in Las Vegas or be under detention in Dubai? Big Brother is watching!