The presidential directive reflects a long-standing tradition of extending mercy to those behind bars on the occasion of major Islamic holidays, and underscores the leadership’s commitment to the values of compassion and social solidarity — values seen as central to family cohesion and community wellbeing in the UAE.
In Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued a parallel order for the release of 227 inmates from the emirate’s Punishment and Correctional Institution. The pardon was granted to those who have met the conditions required, in line with standards of good conduct and behaviour.
His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, similarly ordered the release of 230 inmates who demonstrated exemplary conduct throughout their sentences in the emirate’s punitive and corrective institutions.
Major General Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of Ajman Police, expressed gratitude to the Ruler and voiced hope that the gesture would afford the pardoned inmates the opportunity to rejoin their families and contribute positively to society. He confirmed that release procedures would be initiated immediately.
Jail and AED 5 Million Fine
Separately, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals’ State Security Chamber sentenced an Emirati national, Saif Salem Saif Ali Al Maqbali, to three years in prison and imposed a fine of AED 5 million after he was found guilty of publishing a video containing incitement and false claims about marriage to underage girls in Morocco — rhetoric the court determined was capable of provoking sedition, hatred and societal discrimination.
The court further ordered the deletion of the offending video, the closure of the defendant’s social media accounts, and the confiscation of the mobile phone used in the offence. The UAE Attorney-General had referred the case to an expedited trial following investigations that confirmed the content falsely claimed Moroccan laws permit such practices, and that it constituted a serious violation of UAE law and a direct affront to the fraternal relations between the Emirati and Moroccan peoples.- Source WAM