President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 855 prisoners serving various sentences in the UAE, ahead of Eid Al Adha, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office.
“The gesture is part of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa’s humanitarian initiatives and reflective of the values of forgiveness and tolerance to give the prisoners an opportunity to start a new chapter of their life and positively contribute to the service of their families and communities,” said the UAE state news agency WAM.
Sheikh Khalifa’s annual “pardon ahead of Eid Al Adha aims to enhance family cohesion and bonds, brings about happiness to mothers and children and provides released prisoners with an opportunity to rethink their future and return to the righteous path to lead successful social and professional lives,” the statement continued.
The act of pardoning is a yearly tradition in the UAE, with pardons also coming at the beginning of Ramadan traditionally, as part of the holy month’s call for compassion.
HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ordered the release of 439 prisoners serving various sentences in Abu Dhabi at the start of Ramadan earlier this year.
The President of the UAE also pledged to settle financial obligations for the released prisoners at that time, 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.
Also at the beginning of Ramadan 2021, 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.
