UAE | Crime
RAK authorities seize offensive items
Inspectors of the emirate's Economic Development Department have seized huge quantities of T-shirts with prints and slogans which "call for polytheism".
- By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:12 September 5, 2008
- A sample of a doll seized by the RAK authorities, which were allegedly in demand at the emirate's gift shops.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Ras Al Khaimah: Inspectors of the emirate's Economic Development Department have seized huge quantities of T-shirts with prints and slogans which "call for polytheism".
English and Arabic words and sentences, mixed with a Star of David-like shape, were on the T-shirts, which the inspectors believe to be dangerous since the garments were targeting children.
The inspectors also seized huge quantities of dolls without clothes, which are allegedly in demand all over the emirate.
Shaikha Hussain Al Ali, who heads the Customer Protection and Intellectual Property Section at the department, said the seized T-shirts were "very dangerous, especially during the holy month of Ramadan".
She added that the random painting, imprints, mixture of Arabic and English sentences, the star resembling the Star of David and many other drawings on the garments spurred many customers to lodge complaints with the department.
Haul
She added that the department's inspectors have seen the T-shirts and reported that such messages on the garments were serious threats to the UAE's cultural ethos and Islam in general.
The inspectors were given strict instructions to seize all such offensive T-shirts from the market. It was proved later that a prominent fashion store was the original source for the T-shirts. The inspectors also raided the store and seized the offensive T-shirts, imposing a heavy fine.
Al Ali said that this was the second violation by the store as it was given an official warning earlier. The store would be closed after the next violation, he said.
The department's inspectors have seized all offensive dolls that were available in emirate's gift shops. She said that five different sizes, shapes and designs of the dolls were found.
Al Ali added that the department's inspectors also seized pictures in frames that show a female body and her private parts.
She stressed that the department has been following up with both the commercial outlets and complainants, but added that there will be no tolerance for items which violate "Islamic laws or break the decency and code of conduct".
Share this article
More from UAE Crime
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- From Palestinian refugee to citizen of the world
- Haj pilgrims required to get vaccinated
- Kalimat launches children's book
- Man flees without informing employer
- Housemaid gets one-year jail for theft
- Cleaner to serve 6 months for rape
- Father and son charged with theft
- Three arrested for hosting 31 infiltrators
- Car rental violations net Dh541,000
- Scores of drivers complain about fines
- Detours to allow for Salam Street work
- Readers celebrate World Kindness Day
- Men urged to report erectile dysfunction
- Check-ups are key to keep silent killer at bay
- Children step on board mobile library
