A live music fan has told of her humiliation at being turned away from a festival in Dubai because she was wearing a traditional headscarf.
Manal Rostom, 31, a Muslim pharmacist, told 7DAYS she felt discriminated against after showing up at the DXB Beach Festival at Nasimi Beach last Friday, only to be told she was not dressed appropriately and could not go in because she was wearing a hijab.
“I was waiting to collect my ticket, which I had bought online, when a guy told me I wouldn’t be allowed in because of my headscarf. I was wearing a long skirt, a sleeveless top, a small jacket, a belt and sandals,” she said.
Rostom was told the venue would not allow anyone in wearing “national dress” as alcohol was being served.
“It was humiliating and I felt like crying. I’m a huge music fan and went to the Usher concert, Amr Diab and Shakira, where alcohol was served, and there were no issues,” she said.
“My friends all went in... but they looked at me with pity in their eyes.”
RESPECT FOR THE CULTURE
Rostom added: “Islamically speaking, I’m aware I’m not supposed to be in an environment serving alcohol, and in Dubai I avoid it, but sometimes I can’t.
“I felt a little guilty, but I was going just to enjoy the music. I had no bad intentions and even my friends weren’t there to drink. I’m old enough to make the decision for myself of whether I can be there or not.”
Time Out Tickets, which sold tickets to the event, states on its website: “UAE law does not permit the wearing of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council national dress... to events where alcohol is on sale.”
7DAYS contacted Time Out Tickets but did not get a response. It has, though, changed its terms and conditions to say “UAE custom and practice” does not permit national dress.
However, Tyler Mervyn, managing director of Live Nation, the event’s promoter, said: “It is out of respect for the culture, rules and regulations of the city of Dubai. As a nightclub event, we are advised that as alcohol is for sale, we cannot have anyone in national dress. This is also Nasimi’s policy. We don’t want to discriminate against anyone. We’re just trying to follow the rules.”
The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing told 7DAYS that there was no law banning people in national dress from going to venues where alcohol is on sale.
But, it said that some places or events are told not to let them in as part of the conditions of their alcohol licence.
If they breach this condition, they can be prosecuted.
7Days has called this phenomenon the 'Clothing cash over liquor law'...
