Located in the far west and southwest portion of the United Arab Emirates is the capital and the second most populous city in the UAE. Abu Dhabi is considered as the largest emirate as it covers 67,341 km2 which is approximately 87% of the whole UAE. As of 2014, there are 2,650,000 inhabitants in the city.
What used to be a city that depended more on agriculture has now prospered so immensely since the discovery of the massive oil reserves in the region. Abu Dhabi’s economy has grown continuously that it has been considered one the richest cities today.
While there is no known existence of Red Life Districts in Abu Dhabi, there are a couple of hotels and clubs that are known to offer services offered in RLDs. One famous strip is the Tourist Club Area which is now known as “Al Zahiyah,” an Arabic word meaning “colourful.” The following are the few clubs which offer such services: Allure escort club, Zenith Club, Etoiles Disco Club, Colosseum Disco Club, G-Club.
Stay safe in the RLD
As there is no established red light district in Abu Dhabi, there’s also no hard and fast rule regarding how to stay safe. However, as with any city in the Middle East, this city has no tolerance with drugs and penalties can become really heavy.
Methods of detecting drugs at airports are very advanced that quantities as little as 1 milligram can already send the drug holder to jail. And what’s good is that the law enforcement on this issue is quite strict that there is no difference as to the quantity of the drug you’re holding versus the penalty you’ll get. Sale and trafficking of all types of drugs – heroin, crack, cannabis, weed, cocaine, ecstasy and the like can lead to life imprisonment and death.
With regards to alcohol, there is no sanction or penalty; however, only for non-Muslims.
To those who think that the city is more on the conservative side and that adult entertainment is non-existent because of its religious belief and affiliation, they are wrong because there is quite a number of adult entertainment in the city ranging from massage and escort services to prostitution. However, one should also remember that dress codes are strictly enforced in nightclubs.
Most of the adult entertainment activities happen in tourist hotels, mostly catering to Westerners who are thought to have no difficulty in getting these services.
Another very important thing to note is that the UAE government are using their full power and resources in blocking websites that cater to adult entertainment. Despite this and the laws that govern the illegal trade, prostitution is rampant in Abu Dhabi, particularly in hotels.
Street Prostitution
There are girls along Hamdan street who makes eye contact and would offer “massage” that could turn into steamy sex after. There are also Russian, Chinese and Filipino ladies who hang out in hotel bars and discos that one could hang out with. Although law enforcers pass by the street at night, this doesn’t stop the girls from getting customers. These girls are often cheaper than the escorts found on the internet.
Prostitution in this city is illegal and obtains heavy punishment especially to those who are Muslims. Although illegal, still, it is very rampant in Abu Dhabi as laws are not well implemented regarding this issue. Also, foreign businessmen from other states of the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and post-Soviet States regularly visit the country for work and leisure. While the prostitutes can be expatriated, customers do not feel any harm as there is a little risk when it comes to them being penalized for such offense.
The age of consent in the city is 18. However, sex is only for married couples. Also “pay for pleasure” is tolerated by authorities. If you are found with a prostitute during Ramadan, you could be imprisoned or worse, be deported.
Customs will confiscate sex toys and importation of pornographic materials could lead to imprisonment if found guilty. However, despite prostitution being illegal, supermarkets and pharmacies display and sell sexual lotions, oils, and condoms. You’ll be surprised to see that beside the headache pills are Viagra, Cialis, and other ED drugs.
Homosexual acts have their own share of heavy penalties and even prosecution. Imprisonment for homosexuality goes up to 10 years. And fines, deportation, and even death penalty can occur. Article 354 of the UAE Federal Penal Code states “whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male shall be punishable by death”.
Despite Abu Dhabi being highly modern and Westernized, still there is no room for homosexuals in the city. Homosexuality is forbidden and is a ground for imprisonment. Also, it is considered a taboo subject.
While a lot of members of the LGBT community visit the city, there are consequences of being openly gay. According to Dr. Habib al-Mull a, their society continues to be conservative and homosexual acts are still considered illegal.
General Attitude Towards Gays
Since homosexuality is illegal in the city, authorities and the government impose punishments on gay-friendly clubs. To make matters worse, police frequent clubs and pubs to entrap homosexuals and inflict punishment.
Homosexuals are highly condemned by the public in the city that’s why only a few of them come out of the closet.
Gay Prostitution in Abu Dhabi
There is no known gay prostitution in Abu Dhabi because of homosexuality being illegal.
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