‘Eid in your Home’ plan to help release prisoners

Dubai Land Department (DLD), through its judicial arm the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC), announced the launch of a new initiative under the slogan “Eid in your home,” in line with “Year of Tolerance,” to help release all convicted prisoners in rental cases in Dubai in conjunction with the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday.

The initiative was announced after a meeting that included Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General of the DLD; Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-chief for Criminal Investigation; and Judge Abdul Qader Musa, Chairman of RDC. A young Emirati businessman, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Ansari, donated a substantial amount that covered a large proportion of claims that were issued by the RDC against the prisoners. Thus, prisoners convicted in rental cases in Dubai will be released, and the rights of the landlords will be preserved.

Bin Mejren said, “This generous initiative is considered the first of its kind in Dubai and is increasingly important for its total compatibility with the pillars of the Year of Tolerance, declared by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, with the aim to highlight the UAE as a global capital for tolerance. We have worked with many public and private sectors to launch similar initiatives and projects to underscore the values of tolerance that are an extension of the approach established by the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In addition, this initiative supports our ongoing social responsibility efforts and comes in line with the directives of our wise leadership to deepen the values of tolerance, dialogue, acceptance of others, and openness to different cultures.”

Bin Mejren also said that the “Eid in your home” initiative would ensure the release of 22 prisoners of multiple nationalities who are serving sentences in rental cases in Dubai and cover their lawsuits simultaneously as well as preserve the rights of landlords. DLD will cooperate with Dubai Police to complete the release procedures of the prisoners after the payments have been settled.

To complete this initiative and commence the executive procedures, the RDC formed judicial committees and met with the prisoners who are covered by the initiative to adjust their situation and ensure that they spend Eid al-Adha with their families in their homes.

Musa commented, “We welcome this type of initiative that affirms that the UAE is truly a land of tolerance, values, giving, and humanity. In addition, this initiative justifies our charitable dimensions and our commitment to ensure the rights of all parties in the real estate sector, applying laws in transparency and integrity. The cooperation of all relevant parties, including developers and other government entities, will help us accomplish our tasks fairly, taking into consideration humanitarian situations deserving of compassion, thereby avoiding any side effects on families and the community. A committee based in the RDC welcomes the donations of benefactors to relieve insolvents with difficult financial conditions and will study all cases and set priorities to ensure the aid reaches its beneficiaries. “

Al Mansouri expressed his thanks and appreciation of DLD and the RDC for launching this initiative in cooperation with the young Emirati businessman to help prisoners clear debts and rent. This charitable move will bring happiness to the hearts of these prisoners and their families, granting them a second chance to work hard and serve their families and the UAE with dedication, especially as the General Command and the Correctional Institutions in Dubai focus on providing opportunities for all their prisoners to be productive members of society.”

Al-Ansari said that the contribution to this initiative came from his belief that prisoners of rental cases did not commit an offence but rather suffered difficult circumstances that led them to these difficult situations. Therefore, he decided to stand by them as an expression of the spirit of humanity that characterises Dubai and its citizens who enshrine the principles of giving which the Founding Father instilled. He also stressed that the wise leadership followed this initiative as a model of tolerance on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.