Ras Al Khaimah Police backtrack on bikini ban

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Police have backtracked over their statement that bikinis and tight trunks are banned from public beaches.
Revealing swimwear is not officially outlawed but strongly discouraged because of cultural sensitivities, police clarified.
"We respect the rights for people. We follow UAE law," said Maj Marwan Al Mansoori, the head of public relations and moral guidance for RAK Police.
"Our campaign is not about catching people. We just want to tell people about our culture and our community."
Police said on Sunday that bikinis and tight trunks were banned from public beaches and offenders could face fines if they had received multiple warnings.
The campaign was launched in response to a large number of complaints about swimwear.
"You should respect our culture and our community rights but you have your rights," said Maj Al Mansoori. "If it is under our law, you can do it.
"We wanted to tell people what we are thinking. It is communication between cultures. We want to explain this to people."
The ban was backed by western and Emirati residents and hoteliers. RAK is conservative and the most common attire for women at public beaches is an abaya.
Tourists and western expatriates are a rare sight at public beaches. Most beachgoers are Asian workers or Emirati, Arab and Asian families.
azacharias@thenational.ae