In this photo taken Saturday, June 23, 2012, Women of different nationalities walk at the Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk in Dubai , United Arab Emirates. As the numbers of foreigners have increased, so have the stories of them violating the UAE’s strict indecency code which limits drinking to bars and nightclubs and bans public displays of affection. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)MICHAEL CASEY
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – With the number of foreigners dwarfing that of locals in her hometown of Abu Dhabi, Asma al-Muhairi has become increasingly anxious at the prospect of her younger nieces abandoning their full-length black robes in favor of Western attire that seems to be everywhere she goes.
But it wasn’t until the 23-year-old marketing worker came face to face with two scantily-clad female foreigners at one of the many luxury shopping malls in the United Arab Emirates that she decided to take action.
“While going to a mall, I saw two ladies wearing … I can’t say even shorts. It was underwear,” said al-Muhairi, whose black abaya – a long garment worn by conservative Gulf women – is offset by a gold Versace watch and egg-shell blue handbag.
“Really, they were not shorts,” she said. “I was standing and thinking: ‘Why is this continuing? Why is it in the mall? I see families. I see kids around.'”