Presenter(s): Gabriel Tsui—Journalism
Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel
Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation
Gambling, alcohol, and pornography are restricted in a variety of ways across the Middle East . The predominant religion within the region—Islam—forbids anything that can be considered “shameful, indecent, evil, rebellious, and oppressive” according to the Quran and, given Islam’s influence over the Middle Eastern sphere, has heavily influenced state laws governing activities seen as unethical . However, the growth of the tourism industry, particularly in countries like the United Arab Emirates, has contributed to greater tolerance of these culturally taboo activities . This project will show that tourism can be considered a significant factor contributing to the relaxation of laws governing censorship and the control of regulated substances through the examination of international news media such Al Jazeera, AP, Reuters, and reports and statistics on tourism in Dubai, as well as the United Arab Emirates’ most recent penal code to trace the most recent trends and establish a link between the tourism industry and drinking laws . Additionally, I will also conduct interviews with Arab exchange students at the University of Oregon to trace shifting public opinion on the issue . Ultimately, my research may help predict if the trend of liberalization and relaxation of laws could indicate a future of greater social freedom for the people of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates .