You have to appreciate these increasingly routine Arab crackdowns on endearment. Sure the symbolism of a lovers’ kiss is ingrained deep in the human subconscious, going back pretty much to the beginning of whatever we call culture. But gentle sentimentalism – to say nothing of open devotion – might erode the pathological boundaries of Islamist gender apartheid. So while this idiocy is nowhere near as primitive as Saudi Arabia beheading a father of five for witchcraft, on the level of pure metaphor it’s too exquisite to pass up:
A Dubai appeals court on Sunday upheld a one-month prison sentence for a British couple convicted of kissing in a restaurant. The pair landed in court after an Emirati woman complained about the public kiss, which the couple insisted was just a peck on the cheek. They were arrested in November and convicted of inappropriate behavior and illegal drinking. Cosmopolitan Dubai has the most relaxed social codes in the conservative Gulf, but authorities enforce strict decency laws and regularly crack down on people accused of pushing the limits, which can include everything from wearing a mini skirt to losing one’s temper in traffic.
The courts of this oh-so relaxed cosmopolitan oasis also just jailed an Indian couple for sending each other steamy text messages. So apparently they’re not that relaxed. Though in fairness the AP writeup does demonstrate – at length, with pictures – that last week there was a couple who kissed at the top of Dubai’s tallest skyscraper. So it’s not like they’re making the whole cosmopolitan thing up, which might indicate a pathetic multiculturalist fascination for ninth century sharia fascists. Because that one couple, they really did kiss!
European sharia angle: given what young couples do on vacations, who exactly will be visiting all those sharia hotels that Venatol Dubai is opening across Europe?
References:
* Saudi Arabia Outlaws The Color Red (Plus: Lashes Gang Rape Victims, Legalizes Sexual Enslavement Of 10 Year Girls) [Mere Rhetoric]
* Dubai jail sentence upheld for UK kissing couple [AP]
* Lawyer: Saudi Arabia could behead Lebanese for witchcraft [AP]
* Airline crew face jail over sexy texts [Reuters]
* Europe:Coming Soon, Sharia Hotels [Islam In Action]
Related Mere Rhetoric Categories:
* Women In Islam
* UAE
* Media Bias
