As per the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan a total of 1,010 prisoners will be released across the country on the occasion of Ramadan.
The prisoners have been selected from those who have proved their good conduct and were found to be eligible.
The prisoners’ release comes as part of the President’s keenness to give pardoned inmates an opportunity to start a new life and bring stability to their families.
The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution has started immediate procedures to release 1,010 prisoners, Ali Mohammad Abdullah Al Beloushi, Abu Dhabi’s Attorney-General, said.
‘Humanitarian gesture’
Al Beloushi expressed his gratitude to Shaikh Khalifa for his humanitarian gesture that aims to reintegrates prisoners in society and please their families in the coming holy days.
He said Shaikh Khalifa’s amnesty represents an incentive for other prisoners to benefit from the rehabilitation programmes offered by correctional institutions and thus have the opportunity to be released.
Al Beloushi urged the to-be released prisoners to be productive in society as Shaikh Khalifa’s decision will open new avenues for them.
Salem Saeed Kubaish, UAE’s Attorney-General, paid rich tributes to Shaikh Khalifa for his pardoning of 1,010 prisoners on the occasion of Ramadan.
“Shaikh Khalifa’s gesture is meaningful and influential and it reflects his steadfast approach and wholehearted initiative to give those prisoners a chance to reintegrate into mainstream society,” Kubaish said.
The initiative will help prisoners resume the right path and contribute to a better future and stable life for their nation and families, he added.
Kubaish urged the pardoned inmates to be faithful and be on the right path for a better future as well as the happiness and stability of their families.
Congratulations extended
The attorney-general extended his congratulations to Shaikh Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
He also congratulated Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates on the glorious occasion.
Meanwhile, with Ramadan nearing, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice, has issued a decision to set up the moonsighting committee for Ramadan in Hijri 1437, corresponding to June 5, 2016.
Committee members
The committee, chaired by the minister, includes Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Badi, undersecretary of the ministry; Yousuf Saeed Al Abri, the undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, and a number of other officials.
The decision called on all Sharia courts nationwide to detect the crescent moon and inform the committee.
The committee will hold a meeting after Maghrib (sunset) prayer on Sunday, 29th of Shaaban, Hijri 1437, corresponding to June 5, at the Judiciary Department in Abu Dhabi.
According to the Islamic calendar, each month has either 29 or 30 days. This is the reason why the committee will meet on 29th of Shabaan so as to sight the new crescent moon and determine whether this month will be 29 or 30 days and, accordingly, determine if Ramadan will start the next day (Monday) or on Tuesday.
—With inputs from WAM
