UAE advises citizens not to wear traditional costumes when traveling

(Baonghean.vn) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 3 advised men to avoid wearing traditional white robes and headscarves when traveling abroad after a businessman from this country traveled to the US and was suspected of being a terrorist belonging to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

UAE men in traditional dress. Photo: Reuters.

UAE media reported that the man was arrested in Avon, Ohio, last week. A Fairfield Inn employee called police after she heard a man who looked like an IS fighter talking on the phone in the hallway.

The UAE's Gulf News also published images of the man in a white robe being wrestled to the ground and handcuffed before being led away by police.

On the Twitter account of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a warning: "For citizens traveling abroad, to ensure safety, we advise not to wear traditional costumes when traveling, especially in public places."

In another notice posted on its website in Arabic and English, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called on citizens to comply with the laws of the country they are staying in, for example, women traveling to European countries can remove the veil because many countries have laws prohibiting it.

US media reported that Avon city police released the man after realizing there was a mistake, but he fainted and had to be hospitalized.

The Arabic-language Al-Bayan newspaper reported that the UAE businessman had hired a lawyer to file a lawsuit after failing to receive an apology from the US police and hotel.

Thanh Huyen

(According to Reuters)