No pictures, please

Women often have more reason to feel vulnerable in public places than do men. When men take pictures of unsuspecting women sunbathing on the beach, they abuse that vulnerability.

Unfortunately such incidents appear to be increasingly common. This is the reason why the police in Dubai are stepping up beach surveillance. In 2013, police in Abu Dhabi had to clamp down on fully-clothed beach-goers for the same reason.

It is true that people from all over the world flock to our country to enjoy the pristine beaches and other attractions, and not all of them are aware of the culture. There is a place for better public education. But there is also a place for common sense: clicking pictures of women in beachwear without their knowledge and consent is not acceptable anywhere in the world. In the UAE, it is not only unacceptable, it’s a criminal offence.

The BIO

Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.

Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.

Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.

Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Du Football Champions

The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.