Family-only signs removed from Dubai beach

DUBAI // Signs marking off a stretch of beach for families only have been removed without explanation only a week after they were put up, much to the confusion of tourists and residents.
The pink signs, put up by Dubai Municipality, declared that two strips of public beach either side of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club were reserved for families. Rules also stated that anyone visiting these areas should be dressed modestly; women were requested to be fully covered and single men were banned. The new areas were warmly welcomed by beach lovers who appreciated having an area of sand away from the crowds of sunbathers on the popular Kite Beach in Jumeirah. The decision to take down the signs came as a shock.
Fatima Harrouli said she walked up and down almost the entire beach looking for the family-only sections.
"I walked six kilometres to try and find the beaches," said the French tourist. "I asked security, but nobody knows anything."
One of the resident said having an area away from women and men wearing beachwear was important for conservative families.
"It's important for us to protect our family, our children, our religion, to have spaces without nudity," said Ms di Marco, who is originally from Belgium and a convert to Islam.
"I would like to know why this is closed and am looking to write an email to the municipality to understand why I cannot find these public beaches."
Until the signs were removed, this stretch of public beach was the first in the emirate to have such rules. Al Mamzar Beach Park has women-only days on Sundays and Tuesdays. Visitors, however, must pay an entry fee to access the beach.
Shareen Nahid said friends of hers had been to the beach looking for the new family areas but were disappointed.
"People I know went but the board had been taken out and the beach space was nowhere to be found," she said.
In contrast, others said family-only areas were not necessary.
"Dubai is unique to have this diversity so I don't feel the need for us to separate," said Abeer Hamida, from Sudan.
"I don't mind covering on the beach where there are people in bikinis."
Maryam bint Mohammed, Emirati mother of two, also felt there was no great need for a segregated beach.
"It's nice to have areas for families, as some people do prefer it and feel more comfortable there, but when we travel to places like Europe, we cannot ask people to be covered or to have separate areas."
mswan@thenational.ae