Would you go to the UAE?

[Sleepdeprivedbadger23]

I’ve always had zero interest in a holiday in Dubai because it’s not my scene - I am more a European villa or active holiday person and not into designer gear so politely nod along if friends tell me about their Dubai holidays.

I also know the human and women’s rights etc are generally very poor. I’ve heard from relatives who have lived there for periods and they also found migrant workers in the hotels they were working in were treated really badly.

My in laws have now moved there. I’m not keen on visiting, but obviously DP wants to see his family.

Would you go for a visit to family? There’s lots of places I would rather not spend loads of time in (the US at the moment to be honest!) but if someone bought me a trip to NYC I would probably go…!

Can your DH not go alone?

It's their religion and their beliefs. If I were to visit them I'd respect the local laws. I also can understand why the religion has this view as well.

I’ve said this before when these threads come up. Muslims in this country…lovely people….they brought some food round during Eid…

Muslims in the gulf states…horrible, evil people with their awful religion.

So homophobia and discrimination should be respected just because it's someone's religion? I should respect the idea that it should be illegal for me to have a loving relationship just because some people believe it?

Why is this understandable to you?

Most terrorist activities committed by Islamists in the UK have been committed by those born and educated here. The UK is not immune to radical views.

Yes but the point is any criticism of religious or cultural practices here is immediately met with cries of racism and Islamophobia. Yes the same doesn’t seem to apply when talking about Muslims from other countries.

It's not a hatred or fear of gay people, just their belief that marriage and relationships should be between one man and one woman. That's what they believe god said. It's an islamic country and at some point you have to respect their faith and their core beliefs.

No. I don't support that regime, there are too many human rights abuses.

Also, there's always the chance you'll be arrested for something you haven't done and the UK government can do very little about it. Or arrested for something you have done, like criticising the UAE government on social media, which I have done.

And the whole region is very volatile and risky right now, regardless of how insulated it feels.

Resorts in the Middle East are basically miniature, fake worlds designed to make money whilst the authorities turn a blind eye to what goes on there and try to conceal the reality from the western tourists. Until there's a terrorist attack or a tourist tries to take it too far, forgets that they're not in the Costa Del Sol, and ends up in prison.

No chance. I’m a lesbian, so the thought of going there scares me. In short, I’d never go.

Saying that gay people should be legally barred from ever having a loving relationship is hatred, pure and simple. And I will never respect hatred.

Why do you find such repulsive attitudes understandable?

That's their religion and their customs. Why should they have to accept something so fundamentally against their faith?

It's not about personally accepting it on an individual level, it's about legal discrimination. Some people sincerely believe that women should not be able to vote, that marital rape should be legal, that being gay should be punishable by death. Should these be respected? Is it okay that countries have these laws?

And are you going to tell why homosexuality being illegal is understandable to you?

Meet them in Oman, they can drive.

Being gay isn't illegal. It's just acting on them that's illegal. A quick internet search tells me there's no death penalty for it anyway in the UAE.

I understand why the religion is against it after reading about the religion and learning about the belief structure and the teachings.

So you understand why the religion is against it because the religion is against it? Well that makes sense....

So it's fine be gay as long as you dont tell anyone or have any kind or romantic or sexual relationship ever? That's still extraordinarily fucked up and damaging.

And I never said there was a death penalty for it in the UAE. But there is in some countries, as well as the other things I mentioned. Should they be respected? Is that understandable?

Was thinking the same then thought the OP just assumes all the Middle East is the UAE

They will in 2027. There’s a massive wynn casino being built in RAK.

I mean I've actually read and understood the teachings. I'm not gonna blurt out the reasonings here because it'll start a big religious fight.

And yes in an islamic country they should abstain. They should obey the laws of the country. Islamic countries (in general) value modesty. You can exist with your thoughts and preferences, just control your actions.

Thankfully not all Muslims are that blatantly homophobic.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't follow the law of the land. Im just saying that this particular law is disgusting and discriminatory.

And by the way, it's perfectly possible to be in a same sex relationship and also be modest. Yes yes I know some people's religion says it's not. But like I said, some people's religions also say marital rape is allowed and gay people should be put to death, doesn't make it okay.

Yeah if someone paid

A sensible response. The UAE has some beautiful places to visit such as Khor Fakkhan and other emirates. It is not just Dubai.

This sums up quite well how I feel, but it’s not exactly a reason we can give to in laws for not visiting. And while I don’t think DH disagrees necessarily, he’s never been quite as stubborn as me on principles. And also I am self aware enough to realise that I can be a hypocrite - we regularly use Amazon, don’t suppose they are employer of the year!

I’m hoping if we price it up DH will see it’s too expensive - we would have to stay in a hotel as in law’s apartment is too small for all of us.

So true ….

Yup. And domestic staff? Passports held for years that they can’t go home so that YOU can have a cheap Filipino nanny living away from their own kids for years, because you couldn’t afford staff in the U.K.?
The whole place reeks.

Yeah. My in laws said “we’ll finally be able to afford a housekeeper”. I winced. It’s a place of ignorance rather than just not caring.