CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The United Arab Emirates announced on Saturday a major overhaul of the country’s Islamic personal laws, allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate, loosening alcohol restrictions and criminalizing so-called “honor killings.”

Detailed explanation-2: -Examples of the former include Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, while Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates are among those that apply Islamic law in personal but not civil or criminal matters. In Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, among others, it is forbidden to enact legislation that is antithetical to Islam.

Detailed explanation-3: -According to the constitution, sharia is the principal source of legislation, although the judicial system applies both sharia and civil law, depending on the case. The law prohibits blasphemy and proselytizing by non-Muslims.

Detailed explanation-4: -It is pertinent to note that cohabitation of unmarried couples is not a crime anymore in the UAE if there are no objections by their legal guardians. Therefore, if you are living with your girlfriend in the UAE, it may not be considered a crime, and there may be no imprisonment or penalties for cohabitation.