Illustration by Joaquin Kunkel
UAE Updates
A look at what's been going on in the UAE this week.
Apr 16, 2017
####28 kilograms of hashish seized in Al Ain
On April 12, Abu Dhabi police seized 28 kilograms of hashish at a farm in Al Ain. A 31-year-old citizen of a GCC country was arrested. He was intending to sell the hashish, which is illegal under UAE law.
Drug trafficking is subject to strict regulation in the UAE and offenders may be given the death penalty. In 2013, two males convicted of having sold 1,500 AED worth of cannabis, or about 20 grams, to an undercover officer in a park had their death penalty overturned and changed to a 4-year prison sentence.
Drug consumption was downgraded to a misdemeanor in 2016, giving courts the option to sentence first-time offenders to rehabilitation, a fine of up to 10,000 AED or community service.
####Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark in concert
From April 19 to April 21, 21st Century Symphony Orchestra will visit the Dubai Opera. The Orchestra will perform the soundtrack of the Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park, accompanied by the films on a big screen.
21st Century Symphony Orchestra is based in Lucerne in Switzerland and often tours large European cities. The orchestra specializes in movie soundtracks and has performed pieces from Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, James Bond and more.
The performances of Raiders of the Lost Ark will take place on April 19 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Jurassic Park on April 20 at 8 p.m. and April 21 at 3 p.m.. All performances take place in the Dubai Opera auditorium. Prices start at 150 AED.
####Dubai bans the buying and selling of wild animals
A Dubai law banning the trade and private ownership of wild and dangerous animals will come into effect in July of 2017. The law was passed in January this year. The list of animals includes lions, tigers, crocodiles, wild dogs, predatory reptiles as well as birds like ostriches, penguins and eagles.
The prohibition was articulated in Federal Law No. 22 of 2016. It requires predators to be registered at the local municipality.
The law aims to protect people from dangerous animals and thus it does not prohibit the trade and private ownership of domestic animals like dogs, cats and camels.
Dubai saw an increase in animal attacks in 2014 by 39 percent from 2013, but the increase is reportedly mainly due to an increase in the adoption of home pets.
Jakob Plaschke is News Editor. Email him at feedback@thegazelle.org.
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