Major Overhaul in UAE Laws, Allowed Cohabitation of Unmarried Couples

WEB DESK: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a major overhaul in its Islamic laws allowing cohabitation of unmarried couples, criminalizing honour killings, relaxations for alcohol consumption, and women rights.

The amendments were made to protect individualism for the expats and to remain a destination for more foreign investors.

After the reforms, unmarried couples in the UAE can now live together without facing any legal repercussions. Likewise, alcohol consumption is no longer a legal offense.

Previously, unrelated flatmates and unmarried couples living together was illegal while alcohol consumption, sales, and possession needed a liquor license.

However, the individual must be 21 years and above and the drink must be consumed in a private or authorized space.

The UAE government has also abolished the article that previously protected “honour crimes”. Under this widely castigated tribal custom, women were brutally assaulted, and even murdered by the family members.

The move came over a month after the UAE announced the normalization of Israel-UAE ties last month.

The recent revolution in the UAE laws exhibit a new secular face of the state in transition from a rigid Islamic state.

Since the new monarchs in UAE and Saudi have joined the cavalry, the world is witnessing new reforms focusing mainly on Islamic values.

Previously, monarchs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) uplifted the ban on women driving, easing restrictions on public entertainment such as normalizing cinemas, music concerts, and had intensified women empowerment.

New reforms in the UAE and Saudi are claimed to be the necessity of time to spur economic development and to draw attention of foreign investors.