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UAE pardons more than 1,000 prisoners ahead of Ramadan. Photos/Illustrations
ABU DHABI – United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned more than 1,000 prisoners before Ramadan . That was the report by the UAE’s official news agency, WAM, on Tuesday evening.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of the detainees ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan which will begin on Thursday.
“The move was made as part of President Mohamed’s humanitarian initiatives and reflects the values of forgiveness and tolerance to give pardoned prisoners a chance to start a new life and alleviate the suffering of their families,” WAM reported as quoted by Al Arabiya, Wednesday (22/3) /2023).
The UAE pardons prisoners every year during Ramadan, as well as ahead of other holy celebrations.
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum on July 6 last year ordered the release of 505 prisoners from correctional and penal institutions in the UAE ahead of Eid al-Adha.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia will start observing the holy month of Ramadan on Thursday after not seeing the new moon on Tuesday night. Seeing the new moon marks the start of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
Observing the new moon as the beginning of the month of Ramadan is practiced by more than 1.8 billion Muslims around the world and is considered a month of fasting and spirituality. The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Al-Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all healthy Muslims. However, young children, sick people, travelers or those on a trip, and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating are exempt.
Observing the new moon or new moon has been practiced for thousands of years for the start of Ramadan as well as the two major Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
(ian)
