Why cross-dressing is not allowed in UAE?

UAE is a country that gives high emphasis to public decency from observing proper etiquette in open areas to respecting the culture of diverse people from across the globe.

According to Article 358 of the UAE’s penal code, “indecent attire” is considered an act of public indecency, which also forbids cross-dressing.

Under UAE law, charges related to illicit showing of homosexuality is punishable with up 10 years imprisonment, fines, and deportation.

Individuals who will be guilty of committing to same-sex sexual relations can be punished with up to 14 years in prison.

However, problems often arise in UAE because the country has cultivated an easy-going cosmopolitan image which can give foreigners the wrong impression. Many of its laws are still those of a very conservative Arab society.

Dubai also launched a campaign urging the public to report cross-dressing “crimes”. A police official said people should dial 999 if they spotted anyone cross-dressing. It didn’t matter whether the cross-dressing was causing a problem or not, the official said, because “dressing up as women in public places is violating the laws”.

Since then there have been numerous arrests for cross-dressing and some of them are documented here. Most, though not all, appear to have involved non-Emirati men.

On August 8, 2017 Muhammad Fadli, a fashion photographer from Singapore, arrived in Abu Dhabi for a photo shoot, accompanied by his friend, Nur Ibrahim. The next day they were arrested in the food court of a shopping mall for the allegedly indecent act of "wearing women's clothes in public". Both were later sentenced to a year in jail.

Nur is a transgender woman who adopted a female first name which is legally recognised in Singapore. However, since she has not had reassignment surgery, her documents still show her gender as male.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait have also had campaigns against boyat – women or girls displaying masculine traits in their dress or behaviour.