Meet the UAE judge who paid Dh60,000 fine on behalf of expat

Umm Al Quwain Federal Primary Court Judge, Counselor Humaid Shaheen Al Ali, recalled an incident from several years ago that still resonates deeply with him — particularly due to the humanitarian gesture he made following a brief conversation with the head of an Afghan family, who had been violating the UAE’s residency laws for five years.

This gesture was later praised by President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a ceremony honoring the judge last Tuesday. His Highness affirmed that the act reflected the values and traditions of the Emirati people.

Counselor Humaid Al Ali recounted the incident to Gulf News. “We are used to celebrating Zayed Humanitarian Day — which falls on the 19th of Ramadan each year — in the court, in cooperation with charitable organizations. We take the opportunity to provide symbolic aid and food coupons to court workers, including guards and laborers, in appreciation of their efforts. We consider this day an occasion to remember our father, the nation’s founder, and to recount his virtues. We maintain this annual tradition because it is associated with a name dearly beloved by all of us — Zayed.”

Al Ali added that court sessions had started at 8am, and a ceremony was scheduled for 11am.

"But one case caught my attention,” he said, “involving an Afghan resident who had violated residency laws, along with his family, for five years.”

“The man had brought with him a child wearing a kandura (traditional Emirati attire) and stood waiting to be called to the judge’s platform,” he added, noting that the accumulated fines amounted to Dh60,000 due to the delay in renewing the residency permits for himself, his wife, and four children.

“When I asked him why he had broken the law, he explained that his Emirati sponsor had been diagnosed with cancer and had no one to support him. So, he dedicated his time to staying by his side in the hospital, providing care and services until the sponsor passed away. He confirmed he was unaware of his own legal status at the time.”

Al Ali added: “What particularly struck me during the session was seeing the small child wearing the national attire. I asked the man about the child, and he replied that he was his son.

Al Ali said: “I turned to the child and asked him his name. He confidently replied: ‘Zayed’. At that moment, I realized this case was no longer just a legal file — it had taken on a deeply symbolic meaning. I was wearing a scarf with the UAE flag in preparation for the Zayed Humanitarian Day celebration. I quietly took it off and placed it on the child’s shoulder, saying: ‘Zayed should not pay the fine; Zayed must be honoured’.”

The judge confirmed that he immediately ordered the cancellation of the family’s fines, which he personally paid, as a tribute to the cherished name. It was a gesture filled with both humanitarian and patriotic significance.

He explained that the procedures were completed within hours, including the residency renewal fees, bringing joy to the father, who could hardly believe how quickly the matter had been resolved.

The judge said what made that day unforgettable was the recognition he received from the UAE President, who recently met him and referred to the incident, praising the judge’s humanitarian initiative as a reflection of Emirati character. His Highness told him: "This is how we honor people… and this is how we honor the name of Zayed.”

Al Ali said “What I did wasn’t an exception. It was a continuation of the legacy of our founding leader, upon which this nation was built and its people flourished.”