On the morning of 11/6, Jordan Howman, a 34-year-old plasterer from Crewe, England, arrived at Dubai International Airport with his 38-year-old fiancee, Theresa, and their daughter for a week-long vacation. However, he was detained by immigration officials and had his passport confiscated.
Howman had saved nearly 3,800 USD for the trip, hoping to spend five days exploring the UAE, his "favorite country." However, after being held at the airport for six hours, he said he was forced to return to the UK because of his facial tattoos.
Howman explained that after placing his luggage on the conveyor belt, an official asked him to step aside, inquired if his passport had been stamped, and then seized it. Howman was surprised, as he had used the electronic gates and therefore didn't have a stamp.
After more than four hours in a waiting area, he was taken to the immigration office around midnight. Officials informed him that his entry request was denied due to his facial tattoos.
Howman got the geometric designs and the words "blessed," "family," and "crazy life" tattooed eight years ago and had not encountered any issues during his two previous visits to Dubai. His fiancee, Theresa, also has numerous tattoos but faced no such problems.
While he was detained, his family checked into a 5-star hotel in Dubai. Theresa took a taxi to the airport but was not allowed to see Howman and had to return to the hotel.
"My wife was in tears. I was severely discriminated against," he said, asserting that he is a sociable and kind person. The British tourist expressed regret over the lost savings and stated he would not return to the UAE.
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Howman holding his passport. Photo: Daily Mail |
Howman holding his passport. Photo: Daily Mail
On the afternoon of 12/6, Howman was escorted onto another Emirates flight back to the UK. His passport was returned only after the plane landed at Manchester Airport.
The Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and representatives of Dubai Airport have not yet commented on the incident.
According to the UAE tourism website Wow Emirates, tattoos are a somewhat complex issue in the UAE. While not legally prohibited, cultural and religious values mean locals almost never get them. Many Islamic scholars believe they alter the body, changing Allah's creation.
Tourists are advised to cover overly prominent or sensitive tattoos when visiting the UAE. Meanwhile, foreigners with tattoos are warned they might face difficulties finding employment in traditional sectors like healthcare, banking, and education.
Hoai Anh (Daily Mail)
