<p>The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it will no longer censor films released in cinemas, the country's latest effort to boost its brand as a liberal hub attractive to foreigners.</p>.<p>Instead of cutting sensitive scenes that could offend traditional Islamic sensibilities, the Emirati Media Regulatory Authority will introduce a new 21+ age category for viewers.</p>.<p>“The movies will be screened in cinemas according to their international version,” the authority said in a Twitter post.</p>.<p>Censors in the UAE, like elsewhere in the Middle East, have long removed scenes in cinematic releases that show nudity, homosexuality, sex and other content deemed inappropriate — sometimes leading to plot holes.</p>.<p>Foreigners outnumber locals nearly nine to one in the federation of seven sheikhdoms.</p>.<p>The diversity of culture and religion in the tourism-dependent country has at times been at odds with its Islamic laws and traditions.</p>.<p>But that's changing as the nation promotes its socially liberal environment to lure international workers.</p>.<p>The government has reformed its Islamic legal code and next year will change its weekend to Saturday-Sunday to align with the Western businesses and markets.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>
<p>The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it will no longer censor films released in cinemas, the country's latest effort to boost its brand as a liberal hub attractive to foreigners.</p>.<p>Instead of cutting sensitive scenes that could offend traditional Islamic sensibilities, the Emirati Media Regulatory Authority will introduce a new 21+ age category for viewers.</p>.<p>“The movies will be screened in cinemas according to their international version,” the authority said in a Twitter post.</p>.<p>Censors in the UAE, like elsewhere in the Middle East, have long removed scenes in cinematic releases that show nudity, homosexuality, sex and other content deemed inappropriate — sometimes leading to plot holes.</p>.<p>Foreigners outnumber locals nearly nine to one in the federation of seven sheikhdoms.</p>.<p>The diversity of culture and religion in the tourism-dependent country has at times been at odds with its Islamic laws and traditions.</p>.<p>But that's changing as the nation promotes its socially liberal environment to lure international workers.</p>.<p>The government has reformed its Islamic legal code and next year will change its weekend to Saturday-Sunday to align with the Western businesses and markets.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>