22 July, 2009

GN: Sharjah police enforce old law against men wearing accessories

According to Gulf News, CID and police in Sharjah are having a field day confiscating people's silver necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

"Sharjah: Thirteen-year-old Mohammad was with a group of friends in Al Qasba area when he was reportedly approached by a police officer and taken to the police headquarters. His silver necklace had to go.

Another resident, Jeril Jaison Varghese, says he was in front of the Multiplex in Mega Mall to watch a movie when a CID officer asked him for his identification.

"I was taken to the Sharjah Police office inside the mall by a security guy from the mall. My silver bracelet was confiscated by the CID," he said.

When Varghese asked why his bracelet was being taken away, he says, police said men are not allowed to wear bracelets or any fashion accessories in Sharjah malls even if it is silver and not gold."

More here: Sharjah police enforce old law against men wearing accessories (Gulf News)

Thanks to mr. f for the link

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Finally! Now if they'd just enforce these laws in Dubai I'd be much happier. I shouldnt have to point out people in malls and have security remove them. We need a task force for this type of thing.


And I want to apply.

Stained said...

Ditto^^^

Can we have the rule for indecent clothing also enforced....

Grumpy Goat said...

Does this law also apply to the wearing of gold, diamond-encrusted cufflinks?

Anonymous said...

huh...

ban the wearing of silver bracelets and necklaces?!?!?! cmon guys!!! this is way to the top...

I am so with enforcing a law on indecent clothing... but a SILVER accessories are even allowed in Islam... so I can't wear a blinking silver colored watch on my hand????

insanity at its best

hut said...

What about Montblanc pens in kandoora breastpockets?

hemlock said...

seriously man, high time...
the boys were beginning to become too much competition for me.

Rami said...

Fantastic.

Next we should be arresting men with long hair (long being defined by some arbitrary moralist of course), women with short hair (see above), women in anything but skirts, people who at one point in their life got a tattoo.. the list is endless! We can just start arresting anyone who doesn't fit our fantastically narrow view of what is or isn't 'decent'.

A question to all the idiots above who approve of this story. How in the hell does a guy wearing a necklace/bracelet bother you in any way?

fellow atheist said...

Sharjah Institutes Uniform Law
-------------------------------

A Sharjah official announced today that starting August 1, all men must wear kondaras (or acceptable pre-approved variations of it) and all women above the age of 14 must wear plain black ibaya and niqab (no embroidery allowed).

When asked what brought this change about, a CID agent slammed the reporter for revealing his chest hair and insisted that this is a new law and everyone knows why it will be implemented. "How dare you show me your soft silk like chest hair! I am so offended we will make a new law against that too!" yelled the CID agent.

Recently, Sharjah police have been clamping down on teenagers in Al Qasba who are wearing necklaces and bracelets. Some mexicans are even wearing diamond earrings! The sight of these no-good teenagers is so hurtful that tears came down Moza's eyes.

"I cannot believe that children are abused in this way in my own Emirate!" sobbed Moza. In a rare moment while her glove wearing hand tried to wipe the tears from under her niqab, I caught glimpse of her cheeks, wet with tears. I felt ashamed.

Scientific research conducted by the Sharjah for Science project showed that silver necklaces are a gateway to homosexuality. It costs Sharjah $2b/year to treat homosexuals and rehabilitate them through education and hormonal injections. Studies have revealed that preventative measures, such as uniforms will ensure that the entire population in Sharjah will be straight.

"I don't want to be gay! My grandmother gave me this necklace as a gift and it just means so much to me," claimed 17-year old Khalid. He tucks in his necklace and buttons up his shirt to make sure no one sees it. "Why would she want to turn me into a homosexual? I don't understand!" cried Khalid.

"With our new uniform law, no child or adult will feel left behind. No one will want to wear accessories to fit-in or look cool," said the Sharjah CID. "We are finally doing what everyone has been wanting us to do for years. I am glad that we are finally able to show that progress can only come with unity. What better way to show unity than to wear the same clothes?" he continued.

Anonymous said...

Check this out, guys, she is the concubine of a prominent albiet former minister from the UAE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iW-U3Ak9gw&feature=channel_page

They should have laws against human trafficking... Its more imporant the what people wear!

Anonymous said...

research has shown that drug pushers, pimps, sodomizers, gays, muggers and car-snatchers - they all love their bling. so maybe this is like a 'wide-net' kind of theory to cut crime in increasingly lawless shj. might also net a few budding rappers along the way...but then that wouldn't be such a bad thing would it !

Stained said...

From my limited knowledge according to Islam/Sharia law, men are not to imitate women and vice versa. Accessories like chains, bracelets, earing etc are categorized as imitation. A man though is allowed to wear a silver ring.

Regarding stuff like watches, pens...well they are used for a purpose...ulike a chain with a skull on it or something like that...

Grumpy Goat said...

Indecent clothing is one issue, but is this sort of thing what the Apparel Police really wants?

Be careful what you wish for!

Rami said...

Stained

But that's my point. Who gets to say what is 'for men' and what is 'for women'? These are basically arbitrary rules that have been made up by society. I've had this argument here before, but in this society, men wear kohl (eye-liner) all the time. In very few societies would that be considered a masculine habit. Hell, in many societies the concept of a man in a 'dress' (kandoora) would be seen outlandish and bizarre.

In a place like the UAE, where you (through necessity) have countless cultures mixing and overlapping, you simply can not enforce stupidity like this. One man's moral 'truth' can be simply ludicrous to another. As long as it isn't offending/hurting anyone, why should it be illegal? And there is no way in hell that a man wearing a necklace can possibly be offensive to anyone. Unattractive perhaps, but offensive?

I completely understand (though only partially agree) with modesty laws when it comes to limiting public nudity and the such.. but this is just stupid.

Stained said...

Why does someone always bring up something that as an extreme.

No we don't want women to be flogged in public, that is disgraceful and the people who did that should be given a worser treatment for it...but we also don't want women strutting around in a clothes where it seems they forgot to wear pants...

hemlock said...

stained: god made everything in this world to serve a purpose.

a silver chain with a skull on it (multiplied by lots of similar trinkets) serves to intimidate people and to establish the identity of the wearer as a 'tough-guy'...

TADA!!!

Para Glider said...

I notice the full article also said that men mustn't wear silk. Nice to hear I've been a criminal all these years. But a comfortable one...

Anonymous said...

So, I take it there won't be any appearances of Flavor Flav in Sharjah any time soon?

Stained said...

The real tough guys don't need skulls...they roam the city of Dubai in blue clothes with helmets on their heads...I'm sure all of us see them on a daily basis... :)

Proud Emirati said...

cool !

Al-ain Rose said...

*Thumbs up*

Mr. Atheist,
Leave Moza and Khalid alone and tell me now, which one is more accurate?


There is no God but Allah.
Or,

There is no God but Allah.
Confusing?
Well, my special congratulations to you, you agree with the first part of the Shahada, there is no God. and inshalla, the second part, but Allah, soon. Try your best.

Remember this each time before you close your eyes to sleep:
"Soon we will show them our signs in the (farthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?"
Suraht Fussilat.

Abit, hehe, you would be worth 100 of the security men, I bet.

You guys are disthankful, they want to help you feel your manhood *roar*, leave wearing bracelets and necklaces for women, this stuff affects your manhood *roar*, not to mention the health problems that gold & jewelry cause to males, it makes your bones weak which is against the manhood *roar*, you don't have to believe in Islamic laws, it's medically approved. It would be also good to force men to grow their beards, like Taliban policy. Hopefully.

Stained, yes, silver is okay, and the RINGS only, not bracelets and necklaces. The prophet (peace be upon him) wore a silver ring in his little finger.


Atheist, don't forget, soon they will. Soon.

Keef said...

Beyond belief. Beyond understanding, even.

Anonymous said...

Hah, these jokes are so smart you need a ski lift to get to their respective brows :P

Seriously folks, the comments are clearly in good humour, lighten up.

rosh said...

I suppose no more gold /silver tooth / teeth in men? Well then, should drive down some /most Russian 'tourists'. I suppose there are the positives.

*Sigh*

Anonymous said...

If you don't like it don't come to Sharjah. This is one way to curb westernization before it becomes rampant with our younger generation. We don;t want to end up like many western cities with delinquent teens running wild....all due to the idiotic "Bling Thing". Kudos to Sharjah Police!

Anonymous said...

"A question to all the idiots above who approve of this story...."


WOOOOSH!!!! That was the sound of sarcasm flying above your head.

fellow atheist said...

Anon @ 23 July, 2009 20:52

You, and whoever thinks this way (presumably Sharjah police) are delusional. This is EXACTLY how you promote the types of behaviors you so desperately are trying to eradicate.

Not that I understand what difference it makes whether someone is wearing a necklace or not, but that is irrelevant. Let us not judge the substance of your 'goal' for a minute. Let us just assume that, whether it is justifiable or not is beside the point.

The one sure way to make young impressionable kids behave one way or another, is to come down hard on them like that.

So, not only is it a completely stupid and idiotic waste of police resources, it will also result in the exact opposite desired outcome.

fellow atheist said...

Al Ain Rose

not to mention the health problems that gold & jewelry cause to males, it makes your bones weak which is against the manhood

I would be curious to see any scientific proof of this. If you are going to make such an outrageous statement, you have better back it up with some evidence. Just saying it doesn't make it so.

Anonymous said...

Abit, hehe, you would be worth 100 of the security men, I bet.

Oh trust me, I would be a handful.

I'm just going to say one thing on this issue. Someone is lucky that this law is applicable only in Sharjah, because someone *cough, shaikha mohamed wears a chain, *caugh* would be in trouble. lol.

I applaud Sharjah for doing things their way, sadly I have had 2 run ins with them where it was (later) agreed that they were wrong, so I avoid sharjah as much as I can.

If you dont like Sharjah's laws, as I dont, stay out of it. It's simple. When I MUST go there for business for example, I make sure I go, do what needs be done, and leave.

Stained, yes, silver is okay, and the RINGS only, not bracelets and necklaces. The prophet (peace be upon him) wore a silver ring in his little finger.

Actually, I dont think any proof exists that the prophet himself ever wore silver. Ummar ibn al Khattab did however wear a silver ring with an Onyx center. So did many many Islamic rulers after him.

We are finally doing what everyone has been wanting us to do for years

Actually, your sad attempt at being smart backfired. these kinds of laws are EXACTLY what the CITIZENS of the UAE have been asking for. Slow steps in the right direction. next deporting all families of people who earn less than 20K and closing bars would be nice. Also, I'd like to see the cutting of hands and such for theft make a return, and a VERY strict code of conduct... and as before, I would like to apply for these "squads" all of them in fact.

Haiyat muraqabat al ajanib
haiyat al amer bil ma3roof
haiyat muraqabat al khamareen wal ge7ab

I'd like to apply from right now!

Anonymous said...

Stained said...
Ditto^^^

Can we have the rule for indecent clothing also enforced....

Only on guys and ugly chicks!

Yes yes, Im so sexist! bad me.

Al-ain Rose said...

Mr. Atheist,
Oh, are you, of all creatures, asking for proofs?! & outrageous? But it isn't as ridiculous as your first post; you have no respect for your self.
Though, I so expected the question from you, since all what you care of (as an atheist) is the scientific proofs (without taking notice that science itself disprove the atheist dogma), nothing else, and oh, the *visible* ones only, otherwise you won't believe anything, the proofs that your eyes only can see, you believe only in what your eyes can observe, if it's unseen then it's inexistent, just like kids. Man! there are lots of facts and proofs that are invisible but they do exist in this large universe, all you need is to turn your brain on for once, having 5 senses isn't enough to consider a proof and believe in something, being unable to see your brain doesn't mean you don't have a brain in your head, right?!! Don't ask me for a proof *wrinkle her nose*.



I'm just going to say one thing on this issue. Someone is lucky that this law is applicable only in Sharjah, because someone *cough, shaikha mohamed wears a chain, *caugh* would be in trouble. lol


*whispers to Abit's ear* he doesn't put it on any more, and even so, shaikh is shaikh.*slap him on his head*

Haiyat muraqabat al ajanib
haiyat al amer bil ma3roof
haiyat muraqabat al khamareen wal ge7ab
….
Laugh Out Loudddddddd

Whoa! You have many Haiyaats, you know, I'm against what's so called "elamer bilma3roof group" but I'm dying to see something like this being applied in Dubai * prays*, don't apply, the employees are preferred to be imported from the source, from the original Saudi groups due to the fact they are so HARSH and have nothing but slaps and kicks * amer bilma3roof , Saudi style haha*.anyways, We need something similar in Dubai cuz apparently that some people are unable to behave themselves by themselves, so they need a help. I suggest the Saudi groups. *evil laugh*

If you don't like Sharjah's laws, as I don't, stay out of it.

…..
And what kind of laws you detest Mr. Philosopher?! Ebtasim anta fy Al- shariqa??*wrinkles her eyebrows*



Actually, I dont think any proof exists that the prophet himself ever wore silver. Ummar ibn al Khattab did however wear a silver ring with an Onyx center. So did many many Islamic rulers after him.

What's with the proofs today?! Mama de3att 3alai or something?!

Ummar bin al khattab wore one? *copy –past your statement*--> I don't think any proof exists that Ummar himself ever wore silver. LOL! You found a proof about Umar but you didn't find about the prophet. No problem, the gist is that it's okay to wear a silver ring. Ok….


Hell, in many societies the concept of a man in a 'dress' (kandoora) would be seen outlandish and bizarre.

Aha, in "many", and UAE isn't one of those "many".

Stop the blah blah, I think the law has been applied and that's it, whether you like it or not! If everything is outlandish & weird to your delicate taste in this land, then how the heck are you being able to stand being in here?! Seriously I wonder what you would do if you were in Saudi for example. How would you deal with it?
I think there is a good amount of "Dala3" around here which is rarely found somewhere else on this planet.

Anonymous said...

I'm soooo happy I'm leaving

Al-ain Rose said...

I'm soooo happy I'm leaving

...
SO am I. Bu-bye

fellow atheist said...

Al Ain Rose,

So.. bla bla bla.. I don't know what i'm talking about so if I keep talking no one will notice that i'm full of it. Is that your argument?

Even ABIT makes more sense than that!

Anonymous said...

Al-Ain Rose,

What exactly is a typical atheist? You mean like:

Douglas Adams, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Woody Allen, Lance Armstrong, Darren Aronofsky, Isaac Asimov, Dave Barry, Ingmar Bergman, Lewis Black, Richard Branson, Berkeley Breathed, Warren Buffett, George Carlin, John Carmack, Adam Carolla, John Carpenter, Asia Carrera, Fidel Castro, Dick Cavett, Noam Chomsky, Billy Connolly, Francis Crick, David Cronenberg, David Cross, Alan Cumming, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, David Deutsch, Ani DiFranco, Micky Dolenz, Harlan Ellison, Brian Eno, Richard Feynman, Harvey Fierstein, Larry Flynt, Dave Foley, Jodie Foster, Janeane Garofalo, Bill Gates, Bob Geldof, Ricky Gervais, Ira Glass, James Gleick, Robert Heinlein, Nat Hentoff, Katharine Hepburn, Christopher Hitchens, Jamie Hyneman, Eddie Izzard, Penn Jillette, Billy Joel, Angelina Jolie, Wendy Kaminer, Diane Keaton, Ken Keeler, Neil Kinnock, Michael Kinsley, Richard Leakey, Bruce Lee, Tom Lehrer, Tom Leykis, James Lipton, H.P. Lovecraft, John Malkovich, Barry Manilow, Todd McFarlane, Sir Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Frank Miller, Marvin Minsky, Julianne Moore, Desmond Morris, Randy Newman, Mike Nichols, Jack Nicholson, Gary Numan, Bob Odenkirk, Patton Oswalt, Camille Paglia, Steven Pinker, Paula Poundstone, Terry Pratchett, James Randi, Ron Reagan Jr., Keanu Reeves, Rick Reynolds, Gene Roddenberry, Joe Rogan, Henry Rollins, Andy Rooney, Salman Rushdie, Bob Simon, Steven Soderbergh, Annika Sorenstam, George Soros, Richard Stallman, Bruce Sterling, Howard Stern, J. Michael Straczynski, Julia Sweeney, Matthew Sweet, Teller, Studs Terkel, Tom Tomorrow, Linus Torvalds, Eddie Vedder, Paul Verhoeven, Gore Vidal, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Sarah Vowell, James Watson, Steven Weinberg, Joss Whedon, Ted Williams, Steve Wozniak...


But this is not about religious beliefs. This is about proving an argument that jewelry is harmful to a man's physical health.

The idea behind not allowing men to wear gold and silk is so they don't look like women. This, however, is an evolving concept as the way we look and dress changes through generations. This is probably why it's not mentioned in the Koran.

Sudanese Expat said...

Grumpy Goat,

That story you posted made me make some phone calls and ask what is going on. Sudan did re-visit the 1st century when the current government first took over in 1989, but I didn't think this type of silly behavior was prevalent today. At least, nothing I noticed when I visit lately.

So, it turns out that this was not about trousers or women's attire at all. This was a purely politically motivated campaign against the journalist Lubna Hussein, who is vocally fighting them today.

Nobody was flogged. They were just people who were in her company at the time of the arrest. But, as usual, British journalism is at its best in misrepresenting things.

This is by no means a justification for such abhorrent actions by our police and justice system. It is a shameful thing to do.

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