'Sexpats in trouble again in Dubai" is how one web portal summarised last week's recent allegation of explicit text messaging.
There was also the incident of public kissing involving a British couple in Jumeirah Beach Residences earlier this month. The truth is that this case and others that have occurred over the past several months, including allegations of rape at a five-star hotel, as well as fornication on a beach, demonstrate the ambiguity of decency laws in the UAE.
Last year The National reported on a story that originally appeared in the Dubai-based Arabic daily Emarat Alyoum. The latter had run a full front page story about the potential introduction of a public decency law by the Dubai government. The draft law, as it was reported then, intended to clarify what was deemed unacceptable public behaviour.
Included in the list of inappropriate displays of physical affection were kissing and holding hands. Playing loud music, dancing and nudity could also potentially land the offender into trouble with the law, including a prison sentence. The law wasn't introduced, however, and may well have been a "teaser" to gauge public reaction by the authorities.
As early as September 2001, Sharjah officially issued a public decency law stipulating that men could not wear very short shorts, go into women's only areas or walk around bare-chested or in their undergarments in public areas. Women could not expose their stomachs or backs, wear tight or transparent clothing or short skirts.
Failure to adhere to these guidelines could potentially deprive the offender the right to enter government buildings.
More recently, shopping malls in the country have taken it upon themselves to affix posters requiring shoppers not to kiss and avoid "public displays of affection".
It is no surprise then that various establishments have come up with their own guidelines. Except for Sharjah's rules, there is a vacuum of information regarding what is and isn't officially acceptable in the country - "officially" being the operative word.
Abu Dhabi is embarking on a major programme that is set to place it among the cultural capitals of the world within the next few years. The Guggenheim and Louvre, both of which will open world-class museums in the capital, have been assured that the work they choose to display will be "beyond censorship", and that everything that appears at their shows in Europe and North America will be allowed to show here.
And while most of what is shown in these institutions is in good taste and conforms with Emirati values, it is difficult to imagine, no matter how liberal one is, that the edgier exhibitions depicting sexual themes and violence will be easily displayed to the public.
It is time that the UAE has a serious conversation with itself about what is and isn't acceptable in public.
It is no longer possible to expect that these issues will sort themselves through a policy of ambiguity. Emiratis must also be brought in to the conversation as stakeholders in the future and shape of their country.
Ideally, this is the role of the Federal National Council, a body that I discuss often in my writings because it should be the voice of the citizens. And perhaps in its absent-mindedness or lack of interest, the local fourth estate can play the role of the parliament by debating what citizens deem acceptable. For instance, Mishaal Al Gergawi bravely referred to what he called "Dubai's Unwritten Social Contract" in a recent article in the light of the alleged hotel rape case.
I have been told that Abu Dhabi Police started handing out local decency guidelines to visitors at the airport. Well-informed tourists, in addition to keeping out of potential trouble with the law, will probably enjoy their stay in the country knowing their rights and the accepted boundaries. And as an Emirati, I prefer to know my rights and boundaries even if I were to disagree with them.
Although the UAE is turning 40 next year, it is still very much a work in progress as a nation. When the federation was formed in 1971, tourism was not a major industry, while today about 10 million tourists visit the country each year, contributing billions of dollars to the economy.
The National has reported that personal judgment is used by Abu Dhabi police officers in matters of public indecency. Clearly, such a model of self regulation, however successful, is unsustainable in the long-run. It must be supplemented by a nationwide policy on what is and isn't acceptable for visitors, residents and nationals to do in public.
One must also keep in mind that however unacceptable public displays of affection are, they do not constitute a hazard to others' lives, such as drunk driving. The latter is a criminal offence, whereas public kissing is a misdemeanour; how can both be punishable by a jail sentence?
What the "sexpat" cases are instigating is a long overdue self-reflection and conversation that the UAE needs to have with itself about what it wants to be.
Indeed, we need to talk.
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi is a non-resident fellow of the Dubai School of Government
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
CREW
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey