Dubai, another warning

[Geegeela]

Another example why one must be ever vigilant if visiting Dubai or any of the UAE for that matter.

Engaged couple arrested in Dubai after surprise pregnancy - 9news.com.au

 

[Pushka]

There is something strange about that story. And other feeds say Abu Dhabi. Engaged 2 days before the arrest.

 

[Borisdog]

The only thing strange about the story to me is why people even take the risk of going to fundamentalist countries.

 

[samh004]

While I appreciate you should respect other countries laws and customs, if she became pregnant before entering I really do think it's a step too far. I'll probably go against the grain here but I feel more western countries with citizens who have been imprisoned overly harshly should stand up to them with retaliatory sanctions against their citizens of some sort. Perhaps not jail, but cancelling visas etc. I understand the importance of respecting another countries sovereignty but they often take it too far when they could simply expel them from the country and be done with it. If they want to play the tourism game they need to get with it.

Obviously, if something more sinister, be it drugs, murder etc... then that's very different from pregnancy.

 

[jukebox333]

While I appreciate you should respect other countries laws and customs, if she became pregnant before entering I really do think it's a step too far. I'll probably go against the grain here but I feel more western countries with citizens who have been imprisoned overly harshly should stand up to them with retaliatory sanctions against their citizens of some sort. Perhaps not jail, but cancelling visas etc. I understand the importance of respecting another countries sovereignty but they often take it too far when they could simply expel them from the country and be done with it. If they want to play the tourism game they need to get with it.

Obviously, if something more sinister, be it drugs, murder etc... then that's very different from pregnancy.

If she became pregnant before entering, I think I'd be calling the child Jesus...

 

[AnnaB]

I had a couple of gay friends visiting Dubai... not a problem what so ever but they might have been lucky as they were staying 5 star etc, or just pretended to be merely male friends... Personally I dont understand why they would take that risk... Its a country where they stone people to death for being homosexual.

In the end its local law that is in play and our values have nothing to do with it.... if we want to visit a place like that we just have to play by their rules.

 

[dajop]

I had a couple of gay friends visiting Dubai... not a problem what so ever but they might have been lucky as they were staying 5 star etc, or just pretended to be merely male friends... Personally I dont understand why they would take that risk... Its a country where they stone people to death for being homosexual.

In the end its local law that is in play and our values have nothing to do with it.... if we want to visit a place like that we just have to play by their rules.

Having been there with my partner there was no issue for us either. Probably lower risk for gay couples than for unmarried straight couples, who I understand aren't even allowed to share a room. We just booked twin bedded rooms and had no issues. Quite normal for men to share rooms like that.

Basic rules apply - of course no public displays affection (applies to straight couples too). Also would be daft to "hook up" with strangers if that was your thing.

 

[bam71]

My partner and I spent 6 months there living in Abu Dhabi ( both males). We were supposed to stay for a few years but got a better offer to come back home. We had no issues at all, our neighbours ( young Egyptian Muslim family) just thought we were two guys sharing a villa which is quite common. We always had a separate bedroom made up as though it was in permanent use - just in case. Our cleaner was none the wiser either, although we did tip her double the amount the cleaning company charges us, which wasn't very much for us anyway ( around $40.00 for 3-4hrs work), so she was very happy with the arrangement, and we doubt she would have dobbed us in and killed the golden goose. Still - once we were back in Brisbane it was strange just being "ourselves" again without the facade.

 

[Steady]

I don't think it is appropriate for this couple to be detained - kicking them out makes more sense to me as well. I also don't think much of their judicial system in general.

While I appreciate you should respect other countries laws and customs........
.......Obviously, if something more sinister, be it drugs, murder etc... then that's very different from pregnancy.

Obviouslysex outside of marriage is miles less sinister then drugs and murder in our western world view, in fact I think for many Australians it is considered normal everyday behaviour - not wrong, not right.
If we are respecting their laws and customs, wouldn't we accept that this is not the case in the UAE where it is a very very serious offence. So serious that even rape victims can be/are jailed for sex outside marriage. IMO people who cannot respect/accept this should seriously reconsider the need to visit the UAE.

Surely people don't travel to the UAE (or anywhere) blindly, without considering local laws and customs? Or do they hear stories and just think that they wont apply to them?

 

[bam71]

Or do they hear stories and just think that they wont apply to them?

Correct!!!

 

[Mal]

There is more to this story I am sure, not yet released.

But, basically, if you choose to live in the UAE or visit, keep your activities discreet.

 

[Quickstatus]

Hmm and I thought Islam is a feminist religion????

 

[Pushka]

Hmm and I thought Islam is a feminist religion????

Any religion can be made into whatever anyone wants it to be.

 

[Melburnian1]

These travails are yet another reason why it is far better to travel to Europe and elsewhere via Asia than the completely at odds with our social and religious mores Middle Eastern states.

With a choice of countries such as Japan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand to name a few in which to break one's journey - all nations that are interesting, scenically attractive (yes - including Singapore if one walks in some of its parks) and at which one can (provided one respects local laws and customs) feel 'at home' - why would anyone want to travel via the repressive Middle East?

 

[Tazza_0712]

Hmm and I thought Islam is a feminist religion????

Only if you're Yassmin Abdel-Magied.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Although I do despair for this couple, I'd have to argue that outside of business and family travel, most people travel to experience different sights, attractions and cultures. My grandparents were avid world travellers from the sixties and I don't think they ever visited the USA, yet frequently visited more exotic countries ... well before tourism really took off and well before many of those countries became popular. I recall asking why this was so and my grandfather replied "why would I spend a great deal of money visiting a country that is just like my own backyard and with people who are just like my next door neighbour? I can visit them for far less cash outlay".

The reality is, that tourism has exploded and has become very affordable to the point that many can travel without actually realising too greatly that they are travelling into a foreign country. A definition of foreign can be "strange and unfamiliar" and all travellers should endeavour to understand at least some of the dangers of visiting foreign lands ... and danger can come from authorities. I think far too many travellers think travel is cheap and easy however in some situations, it can be neither. Other travellers seem to think because they not at home, they can therefore play up like a two bob watch. That also presents danger. There are always lessons to be learned from these stories.

 

[Milboo]

These travails are yet another reason why it is far better to travel to Europe and elsewhere via Asia than the completely at odds with our social and religious mores Middle Eastern states.

With a choice of countries such as Japan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand to name a few in which to break one's journey - all nations that are interesting, scenically attractive (yes - including Singapore if one walks in some of its parks) and at which one can (provided one respects local laws and customs) feel 'at home' - why would anyone want to travel via the repressive Middle East?

Because travel that broadens your mind is about going to places where you don't 'feel at home'.

That said, I have visited the Middle East twice now and have not found it repressive. Regardless of where I travel, I am considerate of that country's culture and what is appropriate and respect their laws - just as we would expect anyone to act when visiting Australia.

We may not agree with their societal norms as they differ from our own but that does not necessarily make them wrong (for the most part).

It sounds like there is more to the story.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Perhaps ask Mem Fox if she'd rather travel to the US or the ME.

Having travelled through the ME quite a lot, (never lived there) it seems to me these inflammatory posts are just islamaphobia and not even in disguise. 99.995% of us travelling through ME countries will have very few problems. Any country can pose issues if you don't respect the customs and laws of that country but we Australians have far fewer problems that people from other countries travelling through 'western' countries.

 

[williamsf1]

Note that these 2 people were living and working in the UAE and not just visiting

 

[AnnaB]

Note that these 2 people were living and working in the UAE and not just visiting

Then they should have known better... Perhaps that sounds a bit harsh, but then they cant have been completely oblivious to the laws of the country... and to be honest, most women knows the symptoms of a pregnancy...
Perhaps they thought they had the same patient-doctor privacy as at home...