How is the hotel regulations here in UAE?

Question

I'm planning to book a hotel near sharjah, fujairah, ajman, or any emirate where it has good beaches. I'm planning on a nice weekend with my girlfriend. Am I allowed to book a hotel for us? I mean we're not married yet and I know how strict the rules out here. I've asked a few guys but I get mixed answers. And I know also my nationality counts. Of course rules would bend for western expats, but how about Asians? Can you please advice on the rules so I won't plan on something that is illegal in this country? Thanks!

Answer 1

In fact, strictly speaking, it is illegal to be in a private room, or even in a car, with an unrelated member of the opposite s*x. This applies to hotel rooms also. The rule is referred to as the Tawajed clause.

In reality, the situation is not quite so harsh. This is what one official was reported as saying in November 2007 (in a Gulf News article - see full article for more comments on Sharia law, culture, customs etc with respect to men and women mingling in the UAE.http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/...

"Mohammad Yousuf, Deputy Director of the Dubai Courts Department, said while the Federal punitive law is implemented in the UAE, the situation is different in Dubai. The Tawajed or Tahseen Al Ma'asiya clause, he said, is not implemented in Dubai."

Hotel rooms are often shared by unmarried couples. I've never heard of a hotel asking for a marriage certificate, and they usually only want to see one passport. Even if both passports are shown, eyebrows wouldn't be raised at the different surnames since it is usual in the UAE for Arab women to keep their own surnames after getting married.

In order of risk of problems from lowest to highest, it looks something like this:

Dubai (lowest risk)

... big gap ...

Abu Dhabi

Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Fujairah

... big gap ...

Sharjah (highest risk)

Enjoy your weekend!

Answer 2

How much do you want to spend? Hotel prices here are from 560 AED per night all the way up to $1 million per week in Emirates Palace Hotel - and I am being serious.

Rules do not bend for western expats, read the newspapers.