I had much difficulty trying to find an
iconic feature of Dubai without having to include its many unique ways of
expressing its wealth, from outrageously opulent hotels to the local gold souks
(market). But I suppose my judgment of
what constitutes ‘iconicy’ in Dubai was limited because as a Muslim I did not
see certain aspects of this ‘Islamically’ influenced city as ‘iconic’. As I
took a step back, I realized that the Dress Code observed in Dubai was most
certainly something to take note of. This being, because Dubai is considered
the gateway between the East and the West. Even during the holy month of
Ramadan where during the day eating and drinking is prohibited in public, bars
and clubs are opened as soon as the sun sets for the Non-Muslims. In
retrospect, Dubai accommodates almost equally for the East and the West. How
then, does Dubai ensure comfort in dressing for one without offending the
other?
There is a clear distinction between what
is worn by the locals and their Western counterparts. Local women don what is
usually considered in the west as an identifying feature of the Middle East-the
Abaya. These are long black robes that loosely hang from the body. What I found
was really interesting is that the Abaya is not an Islamic requirement but
rather a cultural one. Likewise for the local men, loose white robes known as
the ‘Dishdasha’ are worn. Usually this is accompanied with a ‘Gutra’, a white
or red-checkered headdress.
For those who are not local, men are
advised against wearing shorts and the women against baring tops or anything
above the knee. Once Ramadan hits, the local appreciate more conservative
dressing. However, the dress code is much more liberal in Beach setting-
bikinis are considered acceptable along with swimming trunks and shorts for the
men.
Basically, even through the dress code,
Dubai goes all out comfort whether it be for its largely western market or its
local people.
