UAE warns citizens not to wear traditional dress abroad

“For citizens traveling outside the country, and in order to ensure their safety, we point out not to wear formal dress while traveling, especially in public places,” read a message published on the country’s Foreign Ministry Twitter account.

The announcement follows the last week arrest of a traditionally-clad Emirati businessman in Avon, Ohio, US, who was mistaken by a hotel clerk for a Takfiri terrorist.

After hearing the man, wearing a long white robe and headscarf, speaking Arabic on his cell phone, the female employee called 911.

The businessman was arrested following a violent scuffle with the police, who released him after understanding the situation.

A separate message was also tweeted warning UAE nationals to “abide by the ban of burqa (the veil) applied in some European countries and cities, which prohibits the wearing of the veil in public institutions and places.”

Several Western countries have introduced bans of traditional Islamic clothing, following a rise in anti-Islam sentiment due to Europe’s refugee crisis and Daesh terrorist activities in Iraq and Syria.

Europe is facing an unprecedented influx of refugees, most of whom are fleeing conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East, particularly Syria.

Many blame major European powers for the unprecedented exodus, saying their policies have led to a surge in terrorism and war in the violence-hit regions, forcing more people out of their homes.

KD