Tag: Gulf state

  • Did Gen Pervez Musharraf meet Indian actor Sanjay Dutt?

    Did Gen Pervez Musharraf meet Indian actor Sanjay Dutt?

    Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf met Bollywood icon, Sanjay Dutt.

    In a picture doing the rounds on social media, many suggested that the meeting took place at a gym in a Gulf state, but it could not be verified independently.

    In the picture, the former president, who lives in Dubai, is seen in a wheelchair while Dutt is pointing towards something.

    General (retd) Pervez Musharraf flew to Dubai for medical treatment after a three-year travel ban was lifted in 2016.

  • Non-Muslims can now have a civil marriage in the UAE

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued its first civil marriage license for a Canadian couple in the capital, Abu Dhabi. This license was given under a new law on the personal status of non-muslims in the country, which was announced last month.

    Foreigners make up 90 percent of the approximately 10 million population in the Gulf state. Recently, UAE has been introducing new laws for promoting progressiveness in the region.

    According to WAM news agency, this decision “contributes to the consolidation of Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-leading destination for skills and expertise from around the world.”

    Civil marriage was not allowed in the Middle East as it is the birthplace of three monotheistic religions that includes Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Usually, marriages are conducted under the religious authority of any of the three faiths.

    Civil marriages are only allowed in Algeria and Tunisia.

    Recently, the country has seen a lot of developments, which include lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together and loosening restrictions on alcohol.

    Earlier this month, the UAE also announced that it will move to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend. This will make Emirates the only Gulf country not to observe weekends on a Friday, and Saturday. The government also exempted the censorship policy from cinema and introduced ratings for mature content.