His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minster of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the release of 553 prisoners of different nationalities from Dubai’s correctional facilities, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office.
The move was done ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ordered the release of 439 prisoners serving various sentences in Abu Dhabi earlier in the day.
The President of the UAE also pledged to settle financial obligations for the released prisoners, according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM.
Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, ordered the release of 206 prisoners in Sharjah for good conduct, also ahead of the start of Ramadan 2021.
The act of pardoning ahead of Ramadan is a yearly tradition in the UAE, part of the holy month’s call for compassion.
The moon sighting committee in the UAE are set to meet virtually on Monday, April 12, after maghrib prayer in order to decide the start date of Ramadan.
Ramadan in Dubai will be slightly different this year, as there will no longer be curtains in front of restaurants. Read more here.
For our full list of Ramadan Do’s and Don’ts, click here.
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