Halloween 2022: Sorcery and Cosplay in the UAE
- Happy Halloween 2022!
- Generally, dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game – is NOT illegal.
- But depends on the specific costume – which should not be offensive or against public morals.
- Furthermore, the timing of dressing up in costumes in public is relevant too.
- So, dressing up in costumes during Halloween time is acceptable and, even celebrated, in the UAE.
- This is in addition to the U.A.E. Constitution, which also provides that the practice of holding passports is against the country’s laws.
- But, outside of a specific occasion, visiting public places dressed up in costumes, may not be deemed culturally appropriate.
- Also, pretending to be a witch on Halloween is very much different from exercising witchcraft.
- Which is otherwise referred to as sorcery.
- This is because, sorcery in the UAE is expressly illegal and punishable by 1) a jail sentence and 2) a fine not less than AED 50,000.
- This is as per the UAE Crimes and Punishment Law No. 31 of 2021 and, in particular, Articles 366 and 367.