UAE | General
Intimacy prevalent on Dubai's public beaches
As the Public Prosecution questions witnesses in Dubai's most recent public indecency case, beachgoers seem undeterred by the prospect of arrest.
- By Alice Johnson and Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:04 August 2, 2008
- Image Credit: Alice Johnson/Gulf News
- Many couples continue to 'feel' safe and are intimate with a boyfriend or girlfriend on a public beach, despite police surveillance.
Dubai: As the Public Prosecution questions witnesses in Dubai's most recent public indecency case, beachgoers seem undeterred by the prospect of arrest.
Public acts of intimacy were highlighted this month, after a British couple were arrested on a public beach. The couple have been referred to Public Prosecution on charges of consensual sex, public indecency and consuming liquor.
At 1am on Tuesday, hundreds of people were found by Gulf News reporters on the Jumeirah Open Beach, swimming in the sea and being intimate.
Families and groups seemed to dominate one area of the beach and sea, while quieter areas were dominated by couples, frolicking together in public.
One young Filipino couple, who were openly kissing, said: "The police never come down to the water."
The woman continued to say that it was "safe" for one to be in such a situation in the water with a boy or girlfriend, because police intervention is rare.
Privacy
Many pairs of heads could be seen sticking out of the water, leaving enough distance apart from other couples to ensure mutual privacy.
While most couples kept their swimming costumes on in the sea, some women had taken their tops off.
One man was observed watching a couple in an intimate position from the shoreline.
Another couple, who were kissing in an intimate embrace on the sand until questioned by Gulf News, seemed generally undeterred by the prospect of police patrols.
"You do have to be a bit careful. The police patrol comes every hour or 90 minutes, but the light from the car is enough to warn you. If they do catch you doing something they just give you a warning and say, don't ever do it again," the South-Asian male said.
"The police might ask for your labour card - you just have to make sure you have everything," the Filipina said.
The couple said they have been coming to the beach every seven to 10 days for the last couple of years. In a two-hour period, only one police patrol was observed on the stretch of beach.
Two Emirati teenage boys were the only non-romantic beachgoers that ventured to the area used by intimate couples. It was their first time at the beach, they said, as they were not from Dubai.
Besides the occasional curious glances at the frolicking couples in the sea, the two were minding their own business.
"I couldn't believe what I saw," one of them said shyly. "I didn't know these kind of things happened here. They don't happen where we are from," said one of them. The affectionate couples were concentrated in a small area towards the end of the public beach.
Although only a stone's throw from areas frequented by families, the couples' area was free of children, families and singles.
Beach safety:
Swimmers are oblivious to dangers of swimming at night
7pm, hundreds of people were in the sea - including families with young children.
Four people drowned recently - one at Al Mamzar and others at Jumeirah beaches
Lifeguard works from 6am to 7pm at Jumeirah Open Beach
An ambulance was present at the Open Beach at 1.30am
32 deaths and 39 injuries in drowning and near-drowning over last three years
Your comments
As my house is facing the beach I can?t even go to the balcony to get some breeze because of these inconsiderate and unwanted people. Expatriates should understand and respect the Sentiments and cultural values of the UAE. The authorities should take strict actions against these people and should not be left by a mere warning by the police.
Iqbal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 03, 2008, 00:01
It is extremely disturbing to note that people are taking advantage of the hospitality offered by Dubai Government. This is an Arab country where modesty is a virtue. I urge everyone to remember this and refrain from such acts and if they cannot control their urges they should immediately book a ticket to their country and indulge in whatever they wish.
Saiyed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 23:52
More police should be in these areas, even better why not more CID officers.The sooner people fear the law,the better. What is seen as ayb should be done behind closed doors NOT in public. These people who say they do it time and time again, need a good few nights in the local jail with some classes on modesty and respect for the land they are in. We muslims are told to keep our private life just that, Private. Im glad im not on duty at such beaches, because i wouldnt have mercy on people who dont follow the rules of the land. More night patrol is neeeded
umm I
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 22:38
well, I think the authoraties should keep specific period for different peoples... I mean There should be specific period during the day for families, another period for males, and another periods for females... Thus, we can prevent illigal scences...
Khadija
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 20:31
Follow the laws of the land and no problem will come over you. This article will attract many "voyeurs" to the beach at night time just to spy; what was supposed to be a pleasant time with family or friends at night in the beach will be messed up.
ana
Lisbon,Portugal
Posted: August 02, 2008, 19:58
The dubai cops are doing fabulous job. I am a regular beach goer and I see them every time there and they can make it easily who is being decent and indecent.
shuja kamili
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 19:43
I firmly think there have to be more serious steps taken by the authorities in this regard.No matter what the nationality and cultural background is,there are some norms in the society that have to be followed by everyone.
mrs.khatri
sharjah,uae
Posted: August 02, 2008, 16:40
I think the UAE should keep intimacy in public areas not only under control but should really arrest culprits. We do not expect our children to be expose to daytime pornography for what ever damn reason considered civilized and liberal.
Dorothy
Buea,Cameroon
Posted: August 02, 2008, 16:17
It is very embarrassing to comment on such acts of indecency in Dubai or in the UAE. After the arrest of the couple and highlighted by media, along with this article, curious minds and frustrated souls will pack their shorts and swimwear and observe these free-to-watch indecent actions. Frustrated people left land and conquered sea for such shameful acts.
Ashraf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 14:16
I do visit Jumeriah Beach with my friends and I don't see any uncensored displays of affection. The Filipino community behave well, especially when they are with their loved ones. And why blame the cops, they can distinguish between a decent act and an indecent act, they will never bother you if you are in your limits, and are probably the best cops in the world (I'm referring to Dubai cops.)
Tony
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 13:34
I think there should be designated areas only for couples. I had a bad experience with my girlfriend when other bachelors around approached and started touching her in the sea. When I protested they asked how much I paid her to come with me. It was worst experience for me in Dubai in the last five years.
Jamy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 12:01
I think this article had no need to be published. This will have an adverse effect and the anxiety of people will increase and now people will flock to the beaches at odd hours hoping to catch some piece of action as highlighted by this article, putting this place out of bounds for couples as well as families.
David
Mumbai,India
Posted: August 02, 2008, 11:57
Aside from considering it as one way to unwind - after a weeks hectic schedule; spending a night swimming in public beaches with friends and family can also be a great energy booster. However, everybody must realise that this is a country where public decency is strictly observed and all should respect that, regardless of nationality. At least here in Dubai, showing affection in public is allowed to a certain extent, the problem is a lot of people misuse this leniency and go beyond civility. Put it simply? lets not forget "etiquette". Lastly I'd say "Do what the Romans do ... when in Rome."
Willy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 11:15
The beaches should be off limits at night, as they are in most other countries of the world, when patrolling becomes too hard due to poor visibility. And to the people, ever heard of 'get a room'? It just goes to a) the education level of people in this country and b) the level of respect people now have for this country. Oh how I wish Dubai would take out their trash!
Kad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 11:11
We are still in a Muslim country and we should respect its laws. Beside there is a lot of private places that people can spend intimate moments together not necessary in public!
Samer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 10:26
I would like to suggest that they should put lights in these open beaches in order to lessen these intimate things, because as long as the places are dark, people will have the chance to do such acts.
Rannie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2008, 09:10
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