Police in the Emirates have now joined the campaign pioneered by the Saudi mutawa to rein-in fashion-conscious youngsters.

Gulf News reports that scores of young people have been arrested in Ras al-Khaimah shopping malls "for violating decency laws" with "unusual hair styles" and trousers and shirts "showing parts of their bodies".

"Sources said that police gave haircuts to some of the youngsters and summoned their parents who were instructed to sign an undertaking to monitor their children and stop them from visiting malls in indecent clothes."

The parents, allegedly, said "the manner in which the authorities handled the situation has been extremely helpful and that youngsters will be now be forced to dress in a decent manner".

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 23 November 2009.