Laws in the United Arab Emirates have again been thrust into the spotlight after a British citizen in Dubai was arrested for sharing a charity post on his Facebook
page.

Most people know Dubai is tough on drugs; that tourists can get in trouble for drinking alcohol outside designated areas; and
people who have sex in public can find themselves facing the full force of the law.

There are some other unpredictable ways of
falling foul of the law in Dubai - even if the
authorities rarely enforce some of the laws.

1. Social media
Scott Richards promoted a charity drive to buy blankets and tarpaulins for refugees in Afghanistan. He was held for 22 days and has now been charged with fundraising without permission. However, he is not the first foreigner to find themselves in trouble over entries on social
media. People have been warned to be careful how they use social media following the
introduction of a strict cybercrimes law in
2012.
The following year, an American was jailed for making a spoof video about Dubai youth culture.
Also in 2013, police in Dubai arrested a man
who filmed an incident in which a
government official attacked an Indian van
driver. The man was arrested for sharing
footage of a crime, after his video was
posted on YouTube. Charges were
eventually dropped.

2.Swearing

Dubai is very conservative when it comes to
bad language. Swearing, profanities, insults
and "all kind of vulgar language" are
considered obscene acts - as is making rude
gestures - and offenders can be fined or
jailed.
In June, one local website reported that a
court had ordered the retrial of a man
convicted of swearing at a colleague in a
WhatsApp message.

3.Holding hands

The UK Foreign Office's advice to British
travellers states that kissing and hugging in
public are strictly prohibited. The UK Foreign
Office says married couples holding hands
"is tolerated", but suggests all open displays
of affection are "generally not tolerated".

4.Allegations of rape

Rape is illegal in Dubai of course. However,
alleged victims have also occasionally found
themselves facing arrest.
In 2013, Norwegian woman Marte Deborah
Dalelv said she had been raped by a
colleague while on a business trip in Dubai.
She reported the attack to the police, but
was charged with having extra-marital sex,
drinking alcohol illegally and perjury after
prosecutors dismissed her rape allegation.
She was given a 16-month prison sentence -
but was later "pardoned" and told she was
free to leave the country.
Ms Dalelv said her attacker was given a 13-
month jail sentence for extra-marital sex
and illegal alcohol consumption.

5.Dancing

Dubai has bars and nightclubs, but the
Foreign Office says you should not dance in
public. "Dancing is allowed in the privacy of
your home or at licensed clubs," the advice
says. The Dubai Code of Conduct says
dancing and loud music is forbidden in
public places, such as beaches, parks and
residential areas. It is classed as "indecent
and provocative", the FCO adds.

6.Sharing a hotel room

It is against Dubai law to live together, or to
share the same hotel room, with someone
of the opposite sex if you aren't married or
closely related, according to Foreign Office
guidance. So, in theory, any unmarried
couple staying in a hotel room together is
breaking the law, although tourists are
rarely prosecuted.

7.Photographing women

Taking pictures of women in public without
consent is "strictly frowned upon", as is
randomly addressing women in public, the
Foreign Office states. Showing any
disrespect towards religious beliefs or
practices is considered deeply offensive and
very likely to result in a heavy fine or
imprisonment.

8.Cheques

Non-repayment of debt is a criminal offence
and can get people sent straight to jail. Having a cheque bounce and not paying bills - including a hotel bill - can also result in
imprisonment.

9.Drugs

Unsurprisingly drugs are strictly illegal in
Dubai. However, the Foreign Office says
authorities are also likely to prosecute if they
find traces of illegal drugs in someone's
blood or urine.
In 2008, British tourist Keith Brown was
sentenced to four years in prison after
Dubai customs officers found a speck of
cannabis, weighing just 0.003g, stuck to his
shoe - although he was reportedly freed a
few weeks later.

10.Medicine

Bringing some medicines into the country is
also forbidden, including some containing
psychotropic substances. The Foreign Office
says if you are using prescribed drugs it is
advisable to carry a doctor's note and you
may need to seek prior agreement from the
authorities.

Thanks op, what about the dressing code there? Because i will be travelling to dubai very soon.