A few days back, a pair of female Western tourists went viral for appearing to mock a burqa-clad woman in a restaurant in Dubai. Which is a pretty bold thing to do, in Dubai of all places. Here’s the footage:
🇦🇪 Dubai police have launched an investigation into European tourists who mocked and filmed a Muslim couple while they were dining.
The two European tourists involved have been detained. pic.twitter.com/cstL2rjq9y
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) January 5, 2025
Naturally, the footage sparked all kinds of outrage and debate online, but unfortunately for the two ladies it went so viral that Dubai police got wind of it, and arrested them both. Turns out that filming people in public without their consent is illegal in Dubai, which begs the question why the other white lady was also arrested. She could argue she’s also technically a victim?
Of course, the idea that they appear to be mocking the lady in the burqa won’t have done them any favours either. Still, who’s to say for sure what they were both laughing at? Sure, it doesn’t look good going off that footage, but I’m sure a decent lawyer could cook up an alternative perspective. No doubt the Dubai courts will offer these ladies a fair and just hearing as they attempt to get to the bottom of it all.
In any case, it’s completely brainless to go over to another country, especially a country like Dubai, and ignore the laws and (allegedly) disrespect the locals. Best to just respect people’s cultures and ways of life the same as you’d wish them to respect and adapt to yours. Just to be on the safe side, if nothing else.
For the Love Island star facing jail after being caught smuggling cocaine from Heathrow into Dubai, click HERE. Very unwise.
