DUBAI: Nardo (name changed), 43, does not know what to expect as he spends his first Christmas in Al Aweer Central Prison after being jailed recently for bouncing multiple cheques.
The father of two had been on the run from his UAE creditors and acknowledged making wrong financial decisions. Their salon business — funded by a Dh150,000 bank loan — failed in 2009. "This could be the saddest Christmas of my life," Nardo told XPRESS. But a perfect roast turkey or gift packs to spread the holiday cheer for Dubai Central Jail inmates is possible through prior arrangements with prison authorities, XPRESS has learnt.
"The prison administration allows all inmates to mark their religious, cultural or traditional festivals — such as Christmas — within the facility. This tradition has been going on for a long time," said Latifa Mohammad Khadim, Head of the Humanitarian Care and Services Section, Al Aweer jail, which houses over 3,000 inmates.
Meanwhile, sources from the St Mary's Church in Dubai said volunteers have arranged a small Christmas gift-giving event for the inmates with the permission of prison authorities.
"We celebrate important occasions like Eid for Muslims and Diwali for Hindus. Islam teaches us to respect other religions," the psychologist said. "Every prisoner is given the freedom to mark special occasions on the condition that other inmates are not disturbed. People outside, even your newspaper readers, can send their presents and we can arrange something for the inmates," said Latifa, who has worked with the inmates for nine years. She said they welcome "diya" or blood money from donors to pay the families of murder victims so that the convict can walk free after serving his sentence.
Latifa said they have facilitated financial help from Good Samaritans for inmates who have completed their jail terms but are unable to afford a ticket to fly home. "We treat every inmate as a human being, regardless of colour of skin or origin."
The section, established in June this year, was spun off from a special committee dealing with inmates' humanitarian concerns and facilitating help from the public. Jailbirds in Al Aweer are given a diet of chicken, fish and meat and are allowed to buy phone booth cards or personal items from an in-house store.
World Cup in jail
A triumphant Nigerian squad received the Internee World Cup from football legend Diego Maradona on Monday, December 19, after trouncing Cameroon, 1-0, in a seven-a-side soccer match at the Al Aweer Central Prison as part of a year-ender sports event.
The Philippine team won the basketball championships after subduing Ghana, 28-20. The Indian volleyball team humbled Pakistan, 3-1.
The Internee World Cup is a five-day tourney in which inmates — convicted drug dealers, murderers, embezzlers and other serious criminals — from 12 countries (Cameroon, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa and the UAE) serving time in the facility, formed national teams to compete with each other.
Soccer spirit
The squads played under the watchful eyes of armed police. Other inmates watched the game from TV screens broadcast from live footage taken by a camera held by another inmate. The tournament is a brainchild of Col Adel Al Suwaidi, Director of Education and Training for Prisoners at the General Department of Correctional Institutions. He said the event is aimed at encouraging convicts to be healthy. The jail organises four tournaments annually in various team and individual events.
"For a moment the players forget that they are inside a prison. They get excited about it," he said, adding that the cup was held as a part of the 40th UAE National Day celebrations. "We'll hold this again next year."
There are about 3,000 inmates in the male ward. The female ward holds more than 300 inmates.
