2 Singaporeans Have Been Jailed For A Year For Wearing Women's Clothes In Abu Dhabi
The conservative laws in UAE run in contrast with its cosmopolitan image.
By Sadho Ram — 24 Aug 2017, 04:14 PM
Two Singaporeans, 26-year-old Muhammad Fadli Abdul Rahman and 37-year-old Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, who travelled to the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month, were sentenced to a year's jail in Abu Dhabi for wearing female attire
Muhammad Fadli Abdul Rahman (left) and Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim.
Image via Muhammad Fadli/FacebookThey were arrested at the food court of a shopping mall on 9 August "for wearing women's clothes in public, and for behaving indecently", The Straits Times reported yesterday, 23 August
In UAE, cross-dressing, homosexuality and being transgender are crimes.
Of the two Singaporeans, Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, who is also known to family and friends as 'Fifi', is said to be a transgender person. Nur Qistina has legally changed the name but has not undergone a sex-change operation to become a woman.
According to Nur's 34-year-old sister, "Fifi has not undergone gender reassignment surgery, so her personal documents still state her gender as male. We are a very close-knit family and are very worried for her," The Straits Times quoted her as saying.
Fadli's family claims that he was wearing "a normal white shirt"
As per The Straits Times, Fadli sent his family this selfie on the day he was arrested.
Fadli's family was informed about his and Fifi's arrest by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) last week. Following which, Fadli and Fifi were sentenced to a year's jail on Sunday, 20 August.
While a MFA spokesperson said they are rendering consular assistance, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has reached out to Fadli's family.
"I'm sorry to hear about this. Rest assured that our consular and mission colleagues will do their best to assist your brother. I understand that they are already in contact with you and your brother. Please let me know if you need further assistance," The ST reported.