Northernmost emirate bans bikinis, briefs

Authorities in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost of the United Arab Emirates, have began posting signs on its public beaches warning of fines for those dressed in revealing swimwear, such as two-piece bikinis for women and mens briefs.

An Abu Dhabi-based newspaper reported Monday that the move follows complaints from local residents who didn’t like sharing the beaches with tourists showing too much skin.

The social mores of the UAE and its seven semi-autonomous emirates ranges greatly from conservative to relatively liberal, the Associated Press reports. Ras al-Khaimah is located about 100 kilometers outside of Dubai, which urges “respectful” attire but rarely objects to outfits such as miniskirts or womens bikini swimwear, the AP reports.