DUBAI – In a historic development, the UAE has allowed alcohol consumptionand unmarried couple to live together by relaxing Islamic laws in thecountry, besides scrapping lenient penalties for “honour killings”.
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved FederalLaw-Decrees to amend the personal status, civil transactions, penal codeand criminal procedural laws.
According to WAM news agency, the amendments aim “to further enhance theUAE legislative environment, entrench the principles of tolerance in thesociety and strengthen the country’s position as a preferred hub thatattracts people to reside and work”.
In the Muslim country, the consumption of alcohol has been discriminalised.The law states that a person above the age of 21 can buy, consume, and sellalcohol in authorised areas even without a licence.
However, a legal action will be taken against the persons below the age of21 for consuming and possessing alcohol.
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Earlier, UAE citizens were required a license to drink any kind of liquorat home or at bar.
The latest amendments will also allow “cohabitation of unmarried couples.”It means unmarried couples are allowed to live together. Earlier this wasconsidered as a crime in the Muslim state.
