International

UAE Says Stop Wearing Traditional Dress Overseas after Man Detained for Speaking Arabic in US

UAE Says Stop Wearing Traditional Dress Overseas after Man Detained for Speaking Arabic in US

The United Arab Emirates urged its citizens to not wear the traditional dress consisting of white robes, a headscarf, and a headband while travelling overseas.

“For citizens travelling outside the country, and in order to ensure their safety, we point out not to wear formal dress while travelling, especially in public places,” said the UAE’s Foreign Ministry on Twitter, reported The National.

The instruction released by the UAE government came after an Emirati man was briefly detained after being accused of being an ISIS terrorist by a clerk at a local hotel  in Avon, Ohio who had heard him talk on the phone in Arabic.

The Emirati, identified as a 41-year-old businessman visiting the US for medical treatment, was rushed to the ground by police officers who arrived at the Fairfield Inn hotel.

Screenshot from the video
Screenshot from the video

In a video released online, the police officers are seen searching the man for any weapons or explosives. In one part of the video, the man tells police they broke his phone, to which a police officer responds “you broke my nail.”

Eventually, police officers recognized the misunderstanding, releasing the man. However, the man suffered a stroke and was transported to hospital.

The UAE summoned the US Deputy Ambassador to Abu Dhabi to protest Ohio police’s “abusive treatment” of the 41-year-old. The UAE also condemned the filming of the arrest as “defamatory”.

Avon’s mayor and police chief have apologized to the man for the incident. The woman who made the false allegation might face criminal charges.

Egypt Cancels Return of Daylight Savings Time
Bangladesh in Mourning after 20 Hostages Killed in Cafe Terror Attack

Subscribe to our newsletter


International

More in International

Israeli Settlers Attack West Bank Villages, Hundreds Injured

Egyptian Streets28 February 2023

58 Dead, 20 Injured in Migrant Shipwreck off Southern Coast of Italy

Amina Abdel-Halim26 February 2023

At Least 5 Dead, 15 Injured in Israeli Strike on Damascus

Amina Abdel-Halim19 February 2023

Messi and the Bisht: a Double Standard Reserved Uniquely for the Arab World?

Amina Zaineldine22 December 2022

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Skips COP27 in Egypt

Shereif Barakat29 October 2022

90 World Leaders to Attend COP27 in Egypt

Shereif Barakat10 October 2022

How Powerful is the Egyptian Passport?

Shereif Barakat2 October 2022

Egypt Sets Sights on Hosting 2036 Olympics

Shereif Barakat25 September 2022