| Dubai is one of the countries that constitute the Islamic | | | | question must not be revealing.o Eating, drinking and |
| world. Though the emirate has risen to become one of | | | | smoking are strictly forbidden at public places during |
| the hot spots in today's world with its fast emerging | | | | the Holy month of Ramadan, one of the major events |
| cosmopolitanism, yet the fact remains that it still | | | | of the year for Muslims around the world. The reason |
| adheres to its roots in more ways than one. For those | | | | is that the daytime during Ramadan is devoted to |
| who are already part of Dubai and those who intend | | | | observing fasts and praying to God.o Some offices |
| to do so, there are some things from the conservative | | | | and public places have marked "Muslim" and |
| capillaries of Dubai culture that have to be borne in | | | | "Non-Muslim" areas. One has to adhere to the same at |
| mind. | | | | such places.o If a non-Muslim wishes to visit one of the |
| In Dubai, Islam is something that is promoted and | | | | many majestic mosques in the emirate, s/he can do |
| inculcated in children from a young age, wherein the | | | | so only through special guided tours.o Live-in |
| basic tenets are the focus. Apart from this, all children | | | | relationships are forbidden by law.o Public displays of |
| have to learn Arabic. The bottom line is - Learn the | | | | affection are also something looked down upon in |
| rules of Dubai if you are in Dubai. | | | | Dubai.o Arabic is the official language of Dubai. But |
| A few pointers towards general social etiquette and | | | | English is also understood and spoken by majority of |
| mannerisms are given below:o Girls and women have | | | | the population in Dubai.o Unless one is absolutely |
| to dress up modestly as the culture is mainly | | | | certain whether a native takes alcohol, one shouldn't |
| patriarchal.o There is no compulsion for women to | | | | offer drink to the person.o One should refrain from any |
| wear the traditional Arabic dress called "abaya" which | | | | word/ action that is blasphemous or anti-Islamic in the |
| is worn over normal clothing. But if they want to go for | | | | presence of Muslims. |
| western dresses, the skirts, tops or trousers in | | | | |