This should have been in members' club
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January 31, 2015
Q: I am a Catholic living in Abu Dhabi. Is it illegal for me to get a tattoo done by a tattoo artist who is also a Catholic? I am aware that tattoos are forbidden in Islam but what if a non-Muslim wants to get a tattoo? Am I breaking the law here? What sanction can the tattoo artist and I possibly face, and is such an act ever penalised? What charge would be brought against me?
A: A tattoo does not constitute a crime in itself and getting a tattoo is not legally penalised. However, this does not mean that it is acceptable or commendable in the UAE. It is forbidden in Islam by virtue of a Fatwa issued by the Official Fatwa Centre at the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, as it is considered a form of self-injury. It is also socially unacceptable and uncommon among Emirati people, and the removal of tattoos is a prerequisite for joining certain establishments such as the army, the police and some airlines. It is forbidden to get a tattoo done by an unlicensed tattoo artist, due to the risks this poses to public health, as it might not comply with relevant health standards, the tools might not be sterilised and may thus lead to the transmission of serious diseases such as Aids or Hepatitis and the tattoo itself might cause certain skin diseases.
Know the UAE laws: Q&A | The National
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April 12, 2012
Providing tattoo services in guise of body art is illegal
Licences required for parlours operating outside medical centres
Health officials have warned again that providing tattoo services as a means of artistic expression is not permitted in Dubai or in other emirates.
"This is not a practice which is being approved by the Ministry of Health. These tattoos are not being practised in medical services," Dr Ameen Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for medical practices and licensing, told
Gulf News.
Medical tattoos
In Dubai, only tattoos for medical purposes are allowed and such services are being licensed by Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Medical tattoos either serve as warnings for first aid providers of a person's medical condition or cover a scarred portion of the body.
"It [tattooing] is not a question of legality. It's a question of healthy or unhealthy practices. We are licensing tattoos provided by doctors or dermatological doctors in clinics," Dr Ramadan Ebrahim, director of Health Regulation at DHA, said, adding that clinics or medical professionals who perform tattoo services without a DHA licence will be fined and their licences will be revoked.
Municipality permit
All licences for body art provided in parlours or in places outside medical centres fall under the Dubai Municipality's jurisdiction, Dr Ebrahim said.
When contacted by
Gulf News, Reda Hassan Salman, director of the Public Health and Safety Department at Dubai Municipality (DM), said that only cosmetic tattoos or permanent make-up are being licensed by the municipality. Art tattoos are definitely not allowed.
"Tattoo artists cannot practise [in Dubai] unless they have permission from DHA or DM," Salman said, adding that only permanent make-up or cosmetic tattoos are licensed.
Working on regulations
"We are working on tattooing regulations at the moment. As soon as they are ready, we will let the public know," Salman said.
Health officials stressed that the public should not seek the services of unlicensed tattoo artists who operate underground as this could pose health risks to them.
Unhygienic tattooing practices such as reusing contaminated needles may also transmit diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis, A, B, and C.
"There is a risk of transmission of various types of diseases, communicable diseases. Therefore we cannot approve this. It is not allowed by the Ministry," Dr Al Amiri added.
Eyebrows
Dubai Dh300, some localised pain, and roughly 20 minutes —that's what it takes to get an eyebrow tattoo done. For others who want bigger and more complicated tattoos, it can go up to five hours and Dh5,000, or more.
Andrea (not her real name), a Filipina hairdresser, casually answered a customer's phone enquiry on getting a tattoo. But unlike earlier when she used to provide tattooing services in the parlour, she now does them discreetly, "home service" style.
Eyeliner
"An eyeliner tattoo would cost Dh250 for both eyes. I can come to your home on my day off if you want," Andrea says.
Robert (not his real name), a Filipino in his thirties, said he could offer more.
"I can do various designs be it tribal, portraits creations, and more. The price starts from Dh500, depending on the size and design that you want," Robert, who has been a tattoo artist in Dubai for five years, said.
Providing tattoo services in guise of body art is illegal | GulfNews.com
