Is Drinking Alcohol Illegal in Abu Dhabi?
Alcohol
Non-Muslims can be served with alcohol, many bars in Abu Dhabi and clubs cater to beverages of all kinds. The illegality pertains to Muslims. A few things to note – you must be of 21-years to enter bars (carry your ID card), drinking in public is forbidden, purchase of alcohol for personal use is regulated (obtain a liquor license), drinking and driving have zero-tolerance in Abu Dhabi.
Sex
According to law, sex outside marriage is considered illegal in Abu Dhabi. Having sex without being married or having sex with some other person to whom you are not married to would be illegal. Homosexuality and prostitution are prohibited. Unisex house-sharing though tolerated, remember to be discrete when inviting someone to your apartment from the opposite sex.
Drugs
There is zero-tolerance for drugs in Abu Dhabi, be it soft or hard including cannabis, crack, heroin, cocaine, weed, or herbal highs like Spice. Detection methods are technically advanced and even a small quantity can land you into heavy imprisonment and penalties. The medication laws are strict and over-the-counter medicines like those with codeine are prohibited. Remember to carry a doctor’s note for painkillers or antidepressants.
Pork
Though Pork meat (Pork ribs, sausages, and bacon) is not illegal in Abu Dhabi it would be hard to find stores selling them. While Muslims are forbidden to buy pork, the Non-Muslims can buy from British supermarket chains like Spinneys stores.
The ambit of illegality includes pornography, electronic cigarettes, smoking which could be banned in public places in the UAE by 2016 yearend.
Non-Muslims can be served with alcohol, many bars in Abu Dhabi and clubs cater to beverages of all kinds. The illegality pertains to Muslims. A few things to note – you must be of 21-years to enter bars (carry your ID card), drinking in public is forbidden, purchase of alcohol for personal use is regulated (obtain a liquor license), drinking and driving have zero-tolerance in Abu Dhabi.
Sex
According to law, sex outside marriage is considered illegal in Abu Dhabi. Having sex without being married or having sex with some other person to whom you are not married to would be illegal. Homosexuality and prostitution are prohibited. Unisex house-sharing though tolerated, remember to be discrete when inviting someone to your apartment from the opposite sex.
Drugs
There is zero-tolerance for drugs in Abu Dhabi, be it soft or hard including cannabis, crack, heroin, cocaine, weed, or herbal highs like Spice. Detection methods are technically advanced and even a small quantity can land you into heavy imprisonment and penalties. The medication laws are strict and over-the-counter medicines like those with codeine are prohibited. Remember to carry a doctor’s note for painkillers or antidepressants.
Pork
Though Pork meat (Pork ribs, sausages, and bacon) is not illegal in Abu Dhabi it would be hard to find stores selling them. While Muslims are forbidden to buy pork, the Non-Muslims can buy from British supermarket chains like Spinneys stores.
The ambit of illegality includes pornography, electronic cigarettes, smoking which could be banned in public places in the UAE by 2016 yearend.
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