Kerala, India: His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced amnesty for Indians serving sentences in Sharjah jails in financial and non-criminal cases.
The amnesty applies to 149 prisoners who have completed three years of their sentences.
Dr Shaikh Sultan will also pay off their debts amounting to Dh20 million.
Prisoners involved in criminal cases will not be released.
Dr Shaikh Sultan made this announcement during a ceremony organised by the University of Calicut at the official residence of Palanisamy Sathasivam, Governor of Kerala, where he received an honorary doctorate.
The honorary doctorate was conferred on Dr Shaikh Sultan in recognition of his role in the fields of culture and arts, in addition to the attention he gives in establishing distinguished research centres and educational institutions.
Humanitarian gesture
Brigadier General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, praised Dr Shaikh Sultan’s humanitarian gesture towards the prisoners and expressed hope that this will give the prisoners an opportunity to start a new life as good members of society.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Shaikh Sultan said that areas of cooperation between Sharjah and Kerala have witnessed a tangible and clear growth during the past six decades — which resulted in mutual contributions between project managers, professionals and businesspersons.
He pointed out that he appreciates such contributions and encourages their continued growth.
He added that he particularly supports efforts for cooperation in the industrial and services sectors, which can benefit from the competitive advantages of resources shared by both nations.
Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “We are very grateful for your warm reception and hospitality, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and wishes to the University of Calicut, and the people and government of Kerala.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, thanked Dr Shaikh Sultan for his efforts to strengthen cooperation between Kerala and Sharjah, and hailed his achievements in the field of culture and education.
He also described the honour as an important one, because it is being bestowed upon a person who truly deserves it.
On Monday, Dr Shaikh Sultan attended a cultural folklore celebration on Kerala’s artistic and literary heritage.
He was received by Vijayan, several ministers, senior officials and businessmen.
During the celebration, paintings were displayed showing the demographic and cultural diversity of the people of Kerala.
Dr Shaikh Sultan was presented with gifts such as rare copies of books, maps and manuscripts. Among them was a copy of the Quran dating back to the 18th century and a book on the history of Malayalam.
Accompanying Dr Shaikh Sultan were Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council; Shaikh Salem Bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office; Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of Government Relations Department; Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information; Mohammad Obaid Al Za’abi, Director of the Sharjah Department of Protocol and Guesthouses, and Mohammad Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of Sharjah Media Corporation, and a number of diplomats, academics and businessmen.
— With inputs by WAM
