Dubai issues fatwa against WiFi theft

Dubai: Dubai's top religious authorities say that stealing WiFi from your neighbor would not be proper Islamic conduct.

That's according to a religious edict — known as a fatwa — from Dubai's Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department. It was available online on the department's website on Monday as a response to a question asked by an anonymous reader.

The edict says: "There is nothing wrong in using the line if your neighbors allow you to do so, but if they don't allow you, you may not use it."

The fatwa matches others issued by other regional clerics in recent years.

Dubai's Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department answers a variety of online questions. They range from prayers and religious matters to modern issues like cosmetic surgeries and illegally downloading movies.