A model sparked outrage after she posted “steamy” photos taken in a Muslim country that has strict decency laws. Many slammed the model and wondered why she wasn’t arrested, but she explained why she believes that she did nothing wrong.
When Brazilian model Luana Sandien took a flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, she claimed it was an “essential work trip” for her “mental health.” But when she posed for sizzling Instagram photos in the Muslim country, she triggered a massive uproar and lost her sanity.
Sandien took to Instagram and shared a series of seductive photos. She posed wearing a white translucent wrap-around skirt and a headscarf, concealing her breasts with her hand. In Portuguese, she captioned the photographs, “The beauty of the desert is that it hides a water well anywhere… (Antoine de Saint).”
However, not everyone around the world was impressed with her photos. Many criticized the Brazilian beauty for not being sensitive to the Muslim country’s strict dress code laws. Due to the religious nature of Dubai, topless exposure and nudity are not at all accepted by the people.
The U.K. Foreign Office advises travelers: “UAE laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. Be aware of your actions to ensure that they don’t offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. Women should dress modestly when in public areas like shopping malls. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. Swimming attire should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools.”
Luana Sandien explained that she didn’t “mean to embarrass anyone.” The Brazilian model, who resides in Spain, told one media outlet how some deeply offended people had accused her of “insulting the signs of state sovereignty,” which was never her intention.
Sandien also claimed that she was mindful of her behavior in a foreign country with strict governance.“It was one of the best pictures I’ve ever taken,” she said. “I was careful to cover my breasts with my hands, knowing that in the country it is forbidden to be naked, and even so I was threatened by haters,” she added.
One commenter asked how Luana Sandien had evaded being arrested by the authorities for the topless trio of photos. To this, Sandien responded, “They let me do whatever I wanted (I have my charms).”
Another critic pointed out, “You could be arrested! No Bail! No Right to an Attorney!”
A third person added, “You are a disrespectful person. That’s all we can actually say. How unfortunate.”
Social media influencers are often criticized for using exotic destinations as props and disregarding the laws and regulations of the country they are visiting. Another social media personality who has been similarly accused of this behavior is Georgia Steel, a reality TV star from the U.K.
Georgia Steel, a “Love Island” contestant, was chastised on social media for breaking the Maldives’ strict anti-nudity laws by posing topless at a premium resort. She appeared to be unaware that nudity is forbidden in the conservative Muslim country and carried a jail term when she took to social media. For the most heinous infractions, the government also administers public floggings and even the death penalty.
Upon the news of Steel’s racy photos in the Maldives, one islander said, “It may seem strange to Westerners, but coming here and failing to observe our laws and customs is incredibly insulting. Influencers who think the Maldives is just a great backdrop for their Instagram should stop and think before one ends up in jail,” adding, “The resorts could also be in serious trouble if guests like Georgia are found to be generating ‘pornographic images’ on the premises.”
