Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Dubai Police have launched an investigation after a man was spotted undressing at Sunset Beach in Jumeirah, triggering strong public backlash and renewed calls for respecting UAE decency laws. The incident was first reported by Emirati former journalist and international speaker Amna Al Haddad, whose video account went viral on Instagram. Al Haddad said she witnessed the unidentified man changing clothes in public “without a towel, without covering his body parts,” describing the act as “absolutely shocking, disrespectful and violating.” “My experience the other day—just going to the parking , seeing a man changing his clothes without towel, without covering his body parts—was absolutely shocking, disrespectful and violating. I don’t understand why expats think they can behave in such a way,” Al Haddad said on Thursday (December 11). “We need to educate them, if they enter the country, what the rules are… if we see that happen, we actually report it, and for the officials to do something about it.” Al Haddad said it took her several minutes before approaching the man to confront him. “Imagine a child saw that. That falls under some form of sexual harassment. Public nudity is absolutely unacceptable, absolutely not tolerated in this country,” she said. In a follow-up post, she reflected on her viral video, saying the overwhelming response highlighted a shared concern. “This wasn’t about a moment. It was about a reminder. Public safety and respect for our shared spaces is not optional — it’s part of the social fabric that makes this country one of the safest in the world,” she said, adding that authorities handled the case “with their usual professionalism.” Residents echoed her sentiments. “As an expat, I cannot believe what I’m seeing these days — it’s gone too far. Well done for speaking up,” said Jennifer Croes. Another resident, Sidd Raj, said, “The level of indecency has really gone wild in Dubai now.” Al Haddad urged the public to report indecent behavior directly through the Dubai Police App via the “Police Eye” feature. “Our voices protect our community. Our actions preserve the standards we stand for,” she said. Public indecency is a criminal offense in the UAE. First-time violators face fines between Dh1,000 and Dh50,000, while repeat offenders can be fined up to Dh100,000 and jailed for at least three months. The same penalties apply to any statement or act violating public morality. Offenses involving minors carry harsher consequences, including imprisonment of no less than one year. In a similar case in 2018, a man filmed touching his private parts in a glass-walled pool at Dubai’s Zero Gravity was immediately removed, banned, and publicly condemned by the venue. Authorities remind residents and tourists that Dubai’s beaches are family-friendly spaces where public modesty rules must be strictly observed. ICA/Expat Media
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