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63% oppose beach segregation plan
Plans to segregate a new beach in Abu Dhabi have not been supported by people taking part in an Arabian Business poll.
More than 63 percent oppose the proposal with the majority of these (36 percent) saying beach patrols should be introduced instead to monitor behaviour on the beach.
It was reported on Tuesday that Abu Dhabi’s new $28.5 million beach will be divided into two separate areas following complaints from families about groups of single men congregating there.
The beach, which has only been open for a week, will be divided into an area for families and women and another for single males by the end of the week.
But the plan has only won support from 27 percent of people responding to our online poll with just under another 10 percent suggesting the segregation should happen but only during certain hours of the day.
Twenty-seven percent of respondents were adamant that everyone should be able to go where they like when they visit the beach.
Details on how the 2km beach on the Corniche will be separated and the rules enforced are still under discussion.
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Comments 1-10 of 10
Posted by Ahmed, Dubai, UAE on 26 July 2008 at 09:48 UAE time
You're in a fools paradise if you think that your children are safe on Family days!!
If you think that your under teen sons are safe on the men's side think again!!
The UAE rules that make it difficult for men and women to have their families with them go on to build frustrated men and women.
A frustrated and desperate society is never going to be a healthy place.
How many walls will you build?
Posted by Shahla Mohd, Sharjah, UAE on 21 July 2008 at 08:40 UAE time
To dear expatriate lady, I really feel uncomfortable when I sense some one is watching me. Mostly bachelors come in groups which makes the ordeal worse.
As you suggested my daughters do not even see the stares since they are busy playing but I am worried as hell, if I go out with them when my husband is not free to come with us. Maybe our culture is different from yours. Please check the recent article that Malaysia may also follow ladies only beaches. So there are other countries interested.
I just thought at least on one day we can enjoy the beauty of nature with out fear and discomfort. I am sure 90% of mothers and ladies will agree with me. I sincerely wish Abu Dhabi Govt takes this bold and laudable step.
Posted by expat lady, Abu Dhabi on 20 July 2008 at 15:52 UAE time
The 'bachelors' will stare - there is no escaping that, but mainly they stare and the scantily clad women who, in my honest opinion, deserve to be stared at if they dress scantily in this country.
So, do we have this lovely new beach and then fence it off and build barricades to keep out the very people who built it.
Surely they should be free to use the facilities as well
let us also not confuse the 'expats' and the 'bachelors'
Who are we trying to segregate and who are we trying to protect?
If you or your daughters are being looked at, so what....just ignore the stares and enjoy your time at the beach.
Posted by Hombil, Muscat, Oman on 20 July 2008 at 15:43 UAE time
Shahla Mohd's comments make a lot of sense.
Posted by S.Qamar Hasan, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 20 July 2008 at 12:07 UAE time
Why make the issue belief based. It is simply a matter of morality and modesty. Respecting the culture of the country. Just as one is not allowed to do certain things in other countries. Let's just keep the argument to its social and moral values.
Posted by Paul, Dubai on 13 July 2008 at 10:07 UAE time
Mr. Mohammed,
I'm sorry if you thought my comments were sarcastic. I also don't agree with your statement that 'a person who is not God fearing will do anything, anytime, anywhere, no matter what.' I am not God-fearing (unsurprisingly, I'm an atheist) and yet for some reason I don't think it appropriate to indulge in lewd behaviour on a beach. All I am saying is that if it is the locals who have a problem with the behaviour of the expats here, then it makes sense to keep us apart. By all means, have standards such as no topless bathing and the like. But segregation of the sexes is something that is very alien to most expats in the UAE, and asking us to surrender things like that are tantamount to Western countries forbidding their Muslim inhabitants from following their cultural beliefs.
Segregating nationals from expats and then having one gender segregated day pleases everyone. It ensures that the people of this country never have to worry about being 'oggled' by gangs of men, it keeps the expats happy because they can continue according to their culture without damaging the local culture, and then the gender segregated day ensures that all women, regardless of nationality, are safe.
Posted by Shahla Mohd, Sharjah, UAE on 13 July 2008 at 07:41 UAE time
I welcome the authorities move to segregate beaches since it will give more peace of mind to mothers like me having two teenagers who love swimming in the sea and going to public parks.
However, I am against segregation based on nationalities as one gentleman suggested. Mothers are the same irrespective of nationalities and each of us wants our children to be protected from the oggling single men who roam the beaches and public parks in groups.
I am not accusing all are alike that but 95% are a nuisance to families. I am sympathetic to their loneliness but safety and honour of my family too is very important to me.
The best solution would be to have Friday or Saturday (1 day) as family day through out UAE in parks as well as beaches. If Friday is family day in beaches then let Saturday be family day in parks.
On the common day let those who are not bothered about the looks of single men could go to parks and beaches whether male or female. This way the interests of all could be protected.
Posted by Frank, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 12 July 2008 at 10:15 UAE time
Apartheid is dead. Is this the equivalent in the UAE?
Posted by Peter Peter, dubai, UAE on 11 July 2008 at 16:45 UAE time
It is a shame that a few insensitive souls are creating ripples in the harmonious atmosphere.
We have seen that the UAE is doing its best to make life for the expat. as normal and comfortable as possible. The freedom of worship and the freedom to enjoy certain food and drink considered unacceptable by local tradition are cases in point.
While I do not condone inappropriate or indecent behavior in public , perhaps there is a strong case for having beaches and other pubic places like gardens having areas where people from the more liberal societies can feel free to enjoy the company of their friends and family without having to look over their shoulder to see if they are offending somebody.
Posted by MOHAMMED KALEEMULLAH, DUBAI, U.A.E. on 10 July 2008 at 17:54 UAE time
Mr Paul email is not sincere but sarcastic, since it seems he didn't get the point, which I wanted to make. It was because my last comments were not published in full. Anyway, any commoner who visits the beach will find people who are flirting with the rules and exploiting the liberty? You can't justify obscene things in public owing to any reasons or restrictions, however in private life one can do as he is pleased with. I would like to sum up and request these comments to be published, 'a person who is not God fearing will do anything, anytime, anywhere, no matter what.'