UAE lawyers call for new alcohol licence rule

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: UAE lawyers call for new alcohol licence rule Several legal experts have called for a temporary alcohol licence for non-Muslim tourists visiting Dubai to avoid them ending up on the wrong side of the law. Lawyers said a “gap” in the legislation means many tourists, who cannot obtain an alcohol licence, can be charged for illegal alcohol consumption if they get into trouble. Currently, the licence is only granted to non-Muslim residents. Emirati lawyer Yousef Al Bahar, said the issue should be addressed by granting them a temporary licence when they visit Dubai. “The problem is that tourists are not allowed to get a licence,” said Al Bahar. “Although they have the right to drink inside hotels and bars, they still get prosecuted for consuming alcohol without a licence if they get into a trouble or break another law.” To obtain a licence, applicants must prove they are non-Muslim, aged 21 or older, earning more than Dhs3,000 a month and are residents in the UAE. RELATED: How to get an alcohol licence in the UAE “I suggest we provide temporarily alcohol licences for non-Muslim tourists on arrival in Dubai or allow them to obtain a licence when they get the visa or the tickets before coming to Dubai. “In this case tourists can’t be touched for not having a licence when they have a problem.” His view was backed by lawyer Hani Hamoda, who agreed that issuing temporary alcohol licences to tourists when they obtain visas would be one way of solving the problem. “Tourists don’t know that they can be fined for consuming alcohol because many of them come to Dubai and leave without making a problem and they think they don’t need a licence,” said Hamoda. “But if the tourist’s involved in a small fight or insult and police come and saw them drunk, then they can be prosecuted for consuming alcohol without a licence.” A judge at Dubai Courts, who did not wish to be named, told 7DAYS that there is nothing in the law that prevents any non-Muslims, including tourists, from getting the licence. “The law legalises an alcohol licence for non-Muslim residents, so why not give it to tourists also with some orders to avoid punishment if they are involved in a problem?” he said. Facts Tourists are only allowed to drink alcohol in hotels and bars. An alcohol licence is only granted to non-Muslim residents above the age of 21 and earning more than Dhs3,000. The penalty for illegal alcohol consumption is either a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to Dhs2,000. Usually judges in Dubai Courts only issue a fine of Dhs2,000 to the person who consumes alcohol without a licence. ali.shouk@7days.ae Read the original story at: UAE lawyers call for new alcohol licence rule