UAE | Crime
Sharjah police enforce old law against men wearing accessories
CID men confiscate residents' bracelets, necklaces and earrings. A senior CID official told Gulf News that police are implementing an eight-year-old decency law.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 22:45 July 21, 2009
- Image Credit: Illustration: Seyyed De La Llata/Gulf News
Sharjah: Thirteen-year-old Mohammad was with a group of friends in Al Qasba area when he was reportedly approached by a police officer and taken to the police headquarters. His silver necklace had to go.
Another resident, Jeril Jaison Varghese, says he was in front of the Multiplex in Mega Mall to watch a movie when a CID officer asked him for his identification.
"I was taken to the Sharjah Police office inside the mall by a security guy from the mall. My silver bracelet was confiscated by the CID," he said.
When Varghese asked why his bracelet was being taken away, he says, police said men are not allowed to wear bracelets or any fashion accessories in Sharjah malls even if it is silver and not gold.
"When did this rule come into being? There was no public notification and no posters in the mall notifying people of this rule," Varghese said. Another resident said on Saturday CID confiscated his friend's silver bracelet while they were in a mall.
"Is there a rule in Sharjah that authorises the CID to confiscate fashion accessories other than gold from residents and their children from malls?" asked Aji Alexander.
A Mexican mother who recently shifted to the UAE and is now living in Sharjah said her 14-year-old son was scared when he was stopped by police who shouted at him for wearing diamond earrings.
"Police were rude... We have no clue that such things are not allowed here," the mother said. "I am not allowing my son to go to Al Qasba again. My son is a very decent and polite boy," she said.
"If people are not offending the laws of the country and are not acting like women by wearing such accessories so why are police taking such action?" she asked.
Mohammad from Sudan said his 18-year old nephew who came from Abu Dhabi to visit his grandmother in Sharjah was taken last week to the headquarters for wearing a silver necklace.
"The boy was afraid. He was standing in front of his grandmother's house when police took him to the CID. After three hours he contacted us," said Mohammad. Residents said Sharjah authorities should inform people who wish to come here that men must not wear fashion accessories.
"Tourist companies should inform the public. Information booklets should be handed to people at the country's entry points. They should advertise that in all malls and entertainment areas such as Al Qasba which we believe are safe places for our children to spend time," said a resident.
"We are aware of the decency law in Sharjah, but wearing silver bracelets, necklaces, or even earrings in a decent way is not against the law," said a resident.
A senior CID official told Gulf News that police are implementing an eight-year-old decency law.
"Men are not allowed to wear such accessories. Everybody is aware of that," he said. "We are informing people through the media and people should be aware of that," he said.
Islam forbids men from wearing gold and silk.
Your comments
police should have informed people before enforcing such a rule because there are many people who are new in this region and are not aware of old rules.. Reminding rules is must
Mahvesh
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 17:29
well " Ignorance of Rules is not an Excuse" thats all what i learned
Abdullah Ghafar
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 17:11
we respect the law. but people should be informed as well.
Marie
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 17:11
If this law had been implimented 8 year ago they should informed to the public and put some warning message before enter the mall.
Teo
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 16:57
The authorities should have ensured that the public is aware of such laws before starting taking action.
Mohammad Ali. C. P
India,India
Posted: July 22, 2009, 12:37
Clear notification to general public is a must. After that if any individual offends the law should be dealt with properly.
Stibert Pinto
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 12:07
Great work Indeed ! Sharjah Police has right to do what they are doing but should have been given earlier notice to people so that all are aware of it.
Carrie
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 12:02
Rules, everywhere, are implemented for some good cause and for the good of the public.
For an Emirate like Sharjah, this law which had been in force eight years ago, now being re-implemented, may have some good intentions. But the general public should be informed and educated well in advance.
L. Johns
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 11:58
People should be informed of such laws well in advance and in a proper manner.
T.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 10:51
I think Sharjah police have the right to do this. It is a law, we cannot say, I don?t want it, it is not suitable to me. If this law was applied in other place, I think they will not even think to write about it.
Muratad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 10:50
Good action from the Sharjah Police. According to me all emirates should follow Sharjah at the earliest as they strictly follow the rules of the land.
Abdul Kabeer
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 10:44
I think yes, this is an old law. Even the law is there for men not to wear shorts.
A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 10:07
If the authorities are enforcing this law again, they should inform people beforehand.
Divya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 09:57
It is good but before enforcing this rule, the authorities shoud advertise about this rule with timeline because not everyone is in Sharjah from 8 years.
P. John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 09:50
I have been living in Sharjah, working in the tourism industry for many years and am totally unaware of such a rule. How can we inform tourists if we are not informed in the first place? The authorities should work on a clear education and information strategy so that people are aware of the rules in the emirate.
Martina Venus
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 09:26
It would have been better if they promote it in malls and streets. there is no shame in reminding us about the things allowed and not allowed.
Ejaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 09:15
As a Muslim I understand that it's not allowed for men to wear any adornment meant for women irrespective of gold or silver including dresses of opposite sex. However, Sharjah should have conveyed this message to the public in advance. We have lived in this country for so many years, and I know of such a rule just today through Gulf News.
Shabir Zain Al Deen
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 09:14
The report claims that they are implementing an 8-year-old decency law and that everybody is aware of it. I've lived in the UAE for almost 23 years, and particularly in Sharjah and I haven't heard of any such law. All I knew was that the decency law prohibits men from wearing shorts in public which is an acceptable thing.
Syed Azeem
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 22, 2009, 09:06
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