London ( CNN ) -- An English-language magazine in Dubai has been accused of disrespecting Islam by recommending places to drink during Ramadan . Time Out Dubai , a popular city guide in the Emirate , published the offending article in its Ramadan issue , which promised to help readers `` make the most of the Holy Month . '' The story , headlined `` 5 to try : bars in Ramadan , '' listed bars in the city that were remaining open throughout Ramadan , giving their hours of operation . During Ramadan , a month in the Islamic calendar for fasting and piety , Muslims abstain from eating , drinking , smoking and sex from dawn to dusk , and prohibitions against behaviors considered sinful , such as drinking alcohol , are more keenly observed . After the magazine tweeted a link to an online version of the article , it was circulated by influential Emirati users of the social media site , prompting an online campaign using the # stoptimeoutdubai hashtag . The backlash highlighted cultural tensions that exist between the mainly Muslim Emiratis , who make up 17 % of Dubai 's population , and the foreigners who have become part of the country 's make-up as it has modernized into a global hub . Read also : Saudi women slam dunk sports taboo . One Twitter user said the article showed `` how some people who ( live ) here have no respect to the culture and the people at all , '' while another said his culture was being `` perverted by alcoholics , '' and tweeted at the magazine to `` keep your filth away . '' Some Westerners living in the UAE responded that the outrage was an overreaction . The magazine apologized , saying it respected `` local culture and traditions '' and claiming the article , which was removed from the site , was an `` error of judgment on our part . '' But the apology was not enough to appease some users , who continued to call for staff at the magazine to be fired . Mahra Al Shamsi , an Emirati English teacher living in Ras Al Khaimah , described the article as shocking . `` Have they lost their marbles ? Do they not remember that , even though this magazine is targeted for expats , they are living in the United Arab Emirates -- an Arab country with very strong Islamic values and beliefs . '' Al Shamsi said that Emiratis respected foreign customs when abroad . `` Is this the thanks we get ? Frankly , this should be mutual . '' But Fiona Du Vivier , a Scottish account manager who has lived in Dubai for nearly two years , thought the campaign was a `` huge overreaction '' to an article that , while perhaps poorly judged , was not disrespectful or insulting . Read also : Lebanon 's burning tires become sign of peace . `` We are in one of the few countries in the world where you have to curtail your behavior whether you 're participating in Ramadan or not , out of respect , '' she said . `` Which is fair enough , I chose to live in this country and I choose to respectfully follow its customs . '' `` Having said that , '' she said , `` there 's a huge proportion of the country that do not participate in Ramadan . The article was merely pointing to a facility that 's available for non-fasting Muslims and non-Muslims . When it was pointed out it could be taken as disrespectful , they took it down and apologized . '' She said some of the angry tweets she had seen -- that the journalist should burn in hell , or threatening to assault anyone drinking during the holy month -- were `` not in the spirit of Ramadan itself , which is about forgiveness and compassion . '' Al Shamsi said while the article may have been pointing out something factual , the linkage of the concept of drinking with Ramadan was offensive . `` The disrespectful bit comes in when they rub it in your face . This is like going to a poor country and writing an article about luxury ... It 's not appropriate . '' Read also : Saving Luke Skywalker 's Tunisian ranch . Omar Abu Omar , a Dubai-based social media marketer , said while the article was not offensive , as bar and entertainment options were the magazine 's standard fare , the timing was inappropriate . More than anything though , he said , it highlighted the potential pitfalls of social media . `` In my opinion , they made a mistake of sharing it on their Twitter feed , as it would have gone unnoticed otherwise , '' he said . `` It 's a lesson in using social media , and choosing your content and posts carefully , as a seemingly harmless and simple post can lead to such uproar . '' Time Out Dubai did not respond to requests for comment . Follow the Inside the Middle East team on Twitter : Presenter Rima Maktabi : @ rimamaktabi , producer Jon Jensen : @ jonjensen , producer Schams Elwazer : @ SchamsCNN and writer Tim Hume : @ tim_hume and digital producer Mairi Mackay @ mairicnn .
Time Out Dubai 's list of bars open during Ramadan has upset Emiratis . An online campaign against the publication has emerged on Twitter . The hashtag #FreeRamadan.com was trending in Arabic and English, with many calling for a boycott of the publication. Many Western residents of the Emirate felt the response was overblown .