(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) The Federal National Council on Tuesday discussed a number of issues, including the cases where some UAE nationals and expatriates were prevented from travelling because of mistaken identities.
The council after a heated debate on the issue asked the Ministry of Justice that the travel ban on UAE nationals, who have court cases and are on the exit control list, should be reflected on the records which could be accessed through their passport and national ID card details so that others are not restrained because of the similarities in names.
The issue was raised by Mussabah Al Ketbi who said: "The Ministry of Interior has recently taken some measures under which a number of people were prevented from travelling based on warrants issued by courts and prosecution offices. However, a number of innocent people, including UAE nationals and foreigners were prevented from travel just because of their names."
He asked Dr Hadef Jowan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice, who was present during the council proceedings on Tuesday, that instead of just names, travel document and ID details of those on exit control list should be provided to the law-enforcement agencies and immigration departments at exit points.
In response, Al Dhahiri assured the house that the problem will be addressed. "System has been already introduced to prevent such mistakes by linking warrants to passports or ID cards," he said.
Chaired by Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, the session was also attended by Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of FNC Affairs; Abdul Rahman Al Owais, acting Minister of Health and Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; and Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water.
Another debate was on the contents of Friday sermons with a number of members saying that they should include social issues and regional and international happenings that affect the public.
The question was raised by member Sultan Al Shamsi, who said: "Friday sermons have special importance among Muslims as they help learn from the lessons that have an impact in calling people for prayers and other good deeds. Why not link sermons to topics pertaining to our lives and the realities around us?"
Other issues discussed included services and night-shift of doctors and nurses at government health centres in remote areas and the recent increase of doctors' salaries.
