Clearly the writer is an idiot. Headline refers to "headscarf" followed by a caption referring to GCC National Dress. Actually, it has nothing to do with the venue. It was the ticket sellers and the promoter.
Time Out Tickets, which sold tickets to the event, states on its website: “UAE law does not permit the wearing of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council national dress... to events where alcohol is on sale.”
7DAYS contacted Time Out Tickets but did not get a response. It has, though, changed its terms and conditions to say “UAE custom and practice” does not permit national dress.
However, Tyler Mervyn, managing director of Live Nation, the event’s promoter, said: “It is out of respect for the culture, rules and regulations of the city of Dubai. As a nightclub event, we are advised that as alcohol is for sale, we cannot have anyone in national dress. This is also Nasimi’s policy. We don’t want to discriminate against anyone. We’re just trying to follow the rules.”
That is not a policy or a condition (as stated below) at Atlantis.
Then you have this in the article:
The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing told 7DAYS that there was no law banning people in national dress from going to venues where alcohol is on sale.
But, it said that some places or events are told not to let them in as part of the conditions of their alcohol licence.
If they breach this condition, they can be prosecuted.
If you have ever been to Atlantis, which has several drinking establishments, you would see plenty of people there in national dress. Go to any restaurant (especially Nobu) and you will see some having wine or spirits. So the "condition" stated by the DTCM is not enforced at the Atlantis. The entrance to the event was covered by the ticket sellers, not Nasimi staff.