British citizens Ayman Najafi and Charlotte Louise Adams have been given a sentence of 1 month in prison and deportation from Dubai for kissing and drinking alcohol on the beach in this strict Muslim country. They were fined £180 each for the alcohol consumption, but still could face additional jail time.
The charge against them for kissing has been temporarily suspended and both await a final hearing on April 4th. Until then, their passports have been confiscated to keep them from fleeing Dubai. Both people insist it was an innocent peck on the cheek, and there is hope that a witness can come forward and clear their names.
Many chalk this recent incident up to the dual nature of Dubai – on the one hand, it is known for being relatively tourist-friendly, with beautiful beaches and plenty of shopping opportunities. The New York Times even profiled Dubai as a great party destination, with top notch night clubs. Yet, despite all these Western amenities, it is still a devout Islamic country where court rulings are made by one judge and no jury.
Sound off: As a woman, does hearing news like this discourage you from seeing a little more of the Middle East, or were you cowed to begin with?
Photo via timesonline.co.uk
