(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Event themed 'Lead Me to A Better Future' features lectures exhibition of products and materials made by inmates
The unified Gulf Cooperation Council Inmates Week started in Abu Dhabi on Monday under the theme of “Lead Me to A Better Future”. The opening ceremony held at Mushrif Mall was attended by a large crowd of participants sponsors and strategic partners.
Emotional reunion for inmates with families
Afkar Abdullah
sharjah — The Ministry of Interior brought and sponsored the stay of the families of six inmates — serving life term — from abroad as part of the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Inmates Week. The Inmates Week will end tomorrow.
Speaking to Khaleej Times Colonel Ahmed Abdul Aziz Shuhail head of reform and rehabilitation section at Sharjah Central Jail said the inmates whose families were brought from their home countries also included women from Saudi Arabia Oman Ethiopia Srilanka and India. He said the inmates met their families privately in a family atmosphere and they were allowed to spend a day with them.
He said the six inmates who got the opportunity of meeting their loved ones were selected on the basis of their good mannerism in jail regardless of the crime they committed. The families of the inmates were also provided with lunch and some heritage musical programmes were also organised for their entertainment.
Col Shuhail said this initiative by MoI in coordination with the Sharjah Police is aimed at giving the inmates and their families happiness and relief.
He explained that next year the initiative will be expanded to accommodate more inmates. “As part of the initiative we allow some inmates to complete their university education while in jail so that when they are released they can start afresh.”
Speaking to Khaleej Times Umm Mohammed an Omani inmate’s wife expressed her happiness and said that thanks to the initiative that her husband was finally able to see his two-year old daughter for the first time ever. My husband could hug and kiss our daughter for the first time since her birth. For the first time today she met her father” an emotional Umm Mohammed said with tears streaming down her face.
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Speaking on the occasion Colonel Mohammed Saif Al Zaabi Head of the Punitive and Correctional Establishments Department at the Abu Dhabi Police commended the outstanding attendance at the unified GCC Inmates Week “which truly embodies the meaning of communication and partnership amongst all community segments”.
Colonel Al Zaabi added “The theme ‘Lead Me to A Better Future’ was chosen for 2014 to highlight the role of the family as the nucleus of a homeland — as it is the first cell that forms the social fabric and social stability of the community.
The family is the foundational key of social education and is vital for instilling good conduct and moral standing.
“With the absence of an influential family member or breadwinner families are directly impacted in bridging various social needs that include interdependence and integration. This year’s theme adequately addresses our objectives to address these needs and to support and help families who are affected by this” he said.
“The UAE together with its sisters in the GCC is keen to care for the inmates and properly rehabilitate them both behaviourally and professionally so that they are able to return to their communities as good citizens who serve their families and homelands.”
The events and activities commenced with a presentation by media figure Jassem Obeid Al Zaabi from the Community Police and Abdullah Al Mahri from Al Mafraq Juveniles Centre alongside the opening of tents filled with inmates’ products and materials and a tour to review the strategic partners’ offers.
A magic show performed by magician Yahya Al Majid and a lecture on first aid delivered by Dr Nadir Ibrahim Issa from the Emergency and Public Safety Department followed the opening activities.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre’s Yola Band presented a performance which was followed by poetry readings.
The Law Respect Culture Bureau National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) Emergency and Public Safety Department Saaed Society to Reduce Traffic Accidents Medical Services Department Family Development Foundation (FDF) Vocational Education Development Centre (VEDC) and the Traffic and Patrols Directorate took part in the activities.
The willingness of the strategic partners to participate in such events organised by the Ministry of Interior highlights their recognition of the important role civil society organisations have. Social worker Shaima Al Zahmi from the Family Development Foundation (FDF) said “We are keen to consistently participate at the GCC Inmates Week as our goal is to contribute our expertise and skills to help build educated families and a cohesive community.”
Warrant Officer Saleh Al Ketbi from Al Faraj Relief Fund said “The fund’s management is involved in every activity related to the Punitive and Correctional Establishment and most notably the GCC Inmates Week. This year the fund’s efforts resulted in the release of 34 inmates. The fund also vowed to sponsor a number of families of inmates until they are released.”