Are these shorts too short? Foreigners told to cover up in UAE

By Schams Elwazer and Catriona Davies, CNN

Updated 1316 GMT (2116 HKT) May 24, 2012

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Campaigners in the UAE are demanding that people refrain from wearing what they say is inappropriate clothing -- such as these shorts worn in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.

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'Dress modestly,' campaigners tell tourists – Campaigners in the UAE are demanding that people refrain from wearing what they say is inappropriate clothing -- such as these shorts worn in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.

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The campaigners say that foreigners, who make up 80% of the United Arab Emirates population, should avoid shorts and vest tops in public out of respect for local culture.

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'Dress modestly,' campaigners tell tourists – The campaigners say that foreigners, who make up 80% of the United Arab Emirates population, should avoid shorts and vest tops in public out of respect for local culture.

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Most Emirati women wear the traditional abaya -- long, loose robes that cover the whole body -- here worn with the niqab, which covers the face.

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'Dress modestly,' campaigners tell tourists – Most Emirati women wear the traditional abaya -- long, loose robes that cover the whole body -- here worn with the niqab, which covers the face.

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The expectation for foreign women is more relaxed, and it is acceptable for them to wear bikinis on beaches, such as at Dubai Marina.

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'Dress modestly,' campaigners tell tourists – The expectation for foreign women is more relaxed, and it is acceptable for them to wear bikinis on beaches, such as at Dubai Marina.

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Signs in shopping malls remind visitors to cover their knees and shoulders. Some people say security guards should go further and ban or fine those who refuse to cover up.

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'Dress modestly,' campaigners tell tourists – Signs in shopping malls remind visitors to cover their knees and shoulders. Some people say security guards should go further and ban or fine those who refuse to cover up.

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"We should give a deadline -- from a certain date, everyone will know that if they wear certain kind of dress, the mall won't let them in, or maybe give them a fine," said campaigner Asma Al Muhairi.

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'Dress modestly,' campaigners tell tourists – "We should give a deadline -- from a certain date, everyone will know that if they wear certain kind of dress, the mall won't let them in, or maybe give them a fine," said campaigner Asma Al Muhairi.

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Story highlights

Asma Al Muhairi started campaign after seeing woman in skimpy shorts in a Dubai shopping mall
Shopping malls in the United Arab Emirates expect visitors to cover their knees and shoulders
Brochures should be given out at airports explaining the need for modest dress, say campaigners

At 23, Asma Al Muhairi has never considered herself a social activist. But a shopping trip to a Dubai mall left her so irate that she started a campaign against revealing clothing and has sparked a major debate in the United Arab Emirates.