Many people have asked me as to whether in the UAE and more particularly in Dubai a bikini is allowed. They ask me does wearing a bikini interfere with the mores and laws of the area. The UAE and Dubai are located at the end of the Arabian landmass and abut the Arabian Sea and the entrance to the Persian gulf. On this land mass is located Saudi Rabia the citadel of the Wahabbi concept that does not let even a woman drive a car. But all this ends when you enter the UAE and one can see that a breath of
fresh air flows here. Coming to the question itself the answer to the query raised is a vociferous yes.The bikini is a two piece swim suit that bares the midriff. Even in the west the bikini only came to the fore as a mass dress around the middle of the last century though ancient Roman murals do show women wearing the bikini or a similar dress. In the Emeritus the bikini is not at all taboo and the famous beaches in Dubai and the capital city of Abu Dhabi are places where one can sport a bikini and have a swim in the crystal blue sea.
The Emiratis have a concept of paid entry to such beaches, which is in a way a good thing as oglers and hangers-on cannot enter for
free. One can enter these exclusive beaches by paying AED 25-100 and then you can don any beachwear that you want. At the exclusive Jumeirah beach, one can see hundreds of girls and women sunbathing in a bikini and one will have to rub his or her eyes, to wonder whether you are in southern France or Dubai.The shops in Dubai and the UAE stock the latest brands of the bikini and one can buy them. However, there are still some rules in place and going topless is one of them. Don't try it as it could land you in jail. But for Indians, it is a refreshing sight as many wear the bikini, something not seen on Indian beaches. The Indian beaches are also dirty and littered with garbage and that is not the case in the UAE. Here the beaches are clean and pristine and that is itself an incentive to wear a bikini and frolic in the water. My girl and I make it a point to spend Saturday afternoons on the beach and she wears a bikini. It's great fun. Wonder if Indian can imbibe a similar culture.
