No, swearing in public in the United Arab Emirates is illegal under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 on the Criminalization of Discrimination and Hatred, as well as local emirate-level decrees such as Dubai Law No. 16 of 2016 on Public Decency. Violations may result in fines up to AED 2 million, imprisonment, or deportation for non-citizens. Recent 2026 compliance directives from the Ministry of Justice emphasize stricter enforcement, particularly in digital and public spaces.
Key Regulations for Swearing in Public in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 criminalizes offensive language that incites hatred, discrimination, or disrupts public order, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses.
- Dubai Law No. 16 of 2016 prohibits vulgar or obscene language in public, including gestures, with enforcement through police patrols and surveillance in high-traffic areas.
- Abu Dhabi’s Public Decency Law (Law No. 28 of 2008) targets public swearing as a form of disorderly conduct, mandating fines and potential legal action under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s guidelines.