Abu Dhabi relaxes Islamic rules on individual freedoms

A view of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (illustrative image).

AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyane, approved a series of amendments to the penal code this weekend.

In particular, a law protecting the perpetrators of “honor killings” has been abolished.

These reforms aim to relax the Islamic rules related to individual freedoms.

They also show the country's desire to present itself as an ideal destination for international visitors.

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With our correspondent in Dubai,

This is a new sign of openness sent by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates.

On Saturday, a series of amendments to the penal code was indeed approved by the country's authorities.

Unmarried couples, for example, are now allowed to live together.

The penalties for alcohol consumption have been reduced.

While those related to rape and sexual harassment have been reinforced.

It should also be noted that this vast reform now allows foreign residents to use the laws of their country of origin to deal with certain issues such as inheritance or even divorce.

These measures therefore make life easier for expatriates there.

But they also aim to attract tourists and residents to a country where nearly 90% of the population is foreign.

In recent weeks, the authorities of the United Arab Emirates had also increased the appeals of the foot against them.

Retirement visas or teleworking are offered by the emirate of Dubai in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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• Religion

• United Arab Emirates