This couple is going to jail in the UAE for dating outside of marriage

The man and woman were prosecuted by authorities after investigations revealed they had spent time alone in private.
uae dating jail

A UAE-based couple who was charged with having a relationship outside of marriage will be sent to jail for one year, Khaleej Times reported

"The Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi upheld an earlier ruling by a lower court that found the Arab man and woman guilty of having relations out of wedlock and violating online laws," the English-language daily wrote.

The man and woman were prosecuted by authorities after investigations revealed they had spent time alone in private. 

Court documents stated the charges were held because the act is considered a sin under sharia law, as the duo aren't married or related to one another. 

The couple was also charged with "beautifying sin," because the man had shared "intimate" photos of them on Instagram and WhatsApp.

He was later prosecuted for violating the UAE's information technology laws.

A complicated legal battle

The latest verdict in the case comes after the couple appealed their original one year sentence several times. 

Winning two appeals, the pair previously had their sentence reduced to a fine of Dh10,000 ($2,722). 

However, prosecutors refused to let go of the case and took it to the UAE's top court, arguing that the appealed verdict violated the country's penal code.

"The Supreme Court then decided to cancel the Court of Appeals' sentence and maintained the first court's original ruling," Khaleej Times reported

Beyoncé approved: Egypt's Okhtein bags are taking 2018 by storm

When Beyoncé debuted a look on Instagram sporting a bag by Okhtein, the Egyptian luxury brand made waves and headlines all across the world. 

Back in October, the singer/songwriter bought the bag herself from a high-end store in Los Angeles after it had been on display when the sisters, Mounaz and Aya Abdel Raoul, won the Vogue Arabia Award back in April.

As proof of their wide range of design, regardless of status and occupation, many high profile ladies have been spotted with an Okhtein bag. 

Shortly after Beyoncé's photoshoot, Egypt’s First Lady, Entesar el-Sisi, made an appearance at Sharm el-Sheikh’s Youth Forum with a shiny silver bag from the sisters' brand, in an attempt to encourage and support local brands.

Born and raised in Cairo, sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf had the artistic vision and flare to pave their way to success. 

With a deep passion for art, design, and fashion, they combined their skills and launched their brand in 2013, specializing in bags made of leather, cotton, canvas, and straw.  

“It was such a shame knowing that all those brand names like Gucci and Channel use genuine leather imported from Egypt, and that we have some of the best craftsmanship, yet our market lacks high-end quality bags that bear unique signature designs,” Mounaz told StepFeed in a previous interview.

Taking on a philanthropic approach, Abdelraouf's sisters have also previously collaborated with many NGOs in Egypt that assist skilled female workers from economically unstable backgrounds. 

In an interview with Fustany, the sisters revealed that working with local Egyptian artisans is the "hardest yet most inspiring part of our jobs." 

"Before starting OKHTEIN, we were warned by friends and family that working with artisans, especially being a woman is probably the hardest part of this job," Mounza said in her Fustany interview

"Aya and I took it as a challenge and here we are, three years later and we’re still struggling. The struggle however is worth it when we end up designing something so beautiful, getting great feedback from client," she added. 

It's been over four years since the launch of Okhtein and a lot has happened since then. More and more celebrities are spotted wearing their bags, from Emma Watson to Gigi Hadid. 

Their minimalist backpacks and statement bags are shaking up the fashion scene. 

Source: Okhtein

The sisters also told Fustany that creating high-end affordable fine jewelry has been on their calendar, with other collaborations coming up soon, including shoes and perfume.

In November, Okhtein revealed their Spring 2018 collection exclusively to Vogue ME

"Featuring a lineup of handbags, minaudières, and card holders, the collection, dubbed “Soul Handles,” is inspired by Cairo’s Moez Street door knobs," Vogue ME reported

A combination between timeless classics and funky designs

Going international couldn't possibly seem like an issue once one takes a look at the elegant designs they make. 

“Okhtein is a combination between timeless classics and funky designs,” Mounaz told StepFeed.

Okhtein bags are sold worldwide at Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, Farfetch, and most recently at Aishti in Beirut.