UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 956 inmates from correctional institutions across the country ahead of Eid Al-Adha. The announcement was made by state news agency WAM on Wednesday from Abu Dhabi.
The pardoned inmates had been convicted in a range of cases. The President has also pledged to cover any outstanding financial obligations linked to their sentences. The move clears the path for the inmates to return home without lingering debts tied to their convictions.
WAM said the gesture reflects the President’s commitment to promoting compassion and social solidarity in ways that strengthen family ties and support community stability. Officials framed the decision as part of the UAE’s wider tradition of marking major Islamic occasions with acts of clemency.
UAE Eid Al-Adha pardon supports family reunification
Authorities said the decision offers the released inmates a chance to start over. Families separated by prison sentences will be reunited in time for the religious holiday, with the President’s office stressing the emotional weight of the timing.
The pardon is also expected to ease financial pressure on relatives who may have struggled while the inmates served their sentences. By covering the debts tied to their convictions, the President’s directive removes a barrier that often slows reintegration after release.
Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohamed ordered the release of 1,440 prisoners across the UAE to mark Ramadan, according to WAM. Pardons of this kind have become a recurring feature of the religious calendar in the country, with rulers across the emirates joining in.
On the same day, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, also directed the release of 227 prisoners serving sentences in the emirate. Sharjah authorities said the pardoned inmates were selected after meeting requirements for good behaviour and conduct.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, pardoned 230 prisoners in honour of Eid Al-Adha. The Ajman pardon followed the same pattern, with eligibility tied to conduct inside correctional facilities and the nature of the offences.
WAM reported that proposed pardon lists are typically prepared by jails in each emirate and shared with prosecutors. The names usually involve less serious crimes, often financial offences. Lists are then reviewed and compared with case files before being finalised by the Attorney General in each emirate.
Once approved, the lists move to the respective ruler’s court, where a final decision on release is issued. Inmates must have already served a portion of their sentence and demonstrated good behaviour to qualify for pardon.
The humanitarian gesture is one the UAE has repeated across religious festivals and national occasions. Rulers across the seven emirates have used Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Ramadan, and National Day to grant clemency to inmates whose cases qualify.
Officials say the practice aims to reward those who have shown a commitment to rehabilitation. It also removes financial and emotional burdens from the families of those serving sentences, many of whom rely on the inmates as breadwinners.
The pardoned individuals come from a range of nationalities, reflecting the diverse population housed in UAE correctional facilities. Authorities have said in past years that the selection process applies equally to citizens and residents who meet the eligibility criteria.
This year’s wave of Eid Al-Adha pardons across the UAE brings the total number of released inmates into the thousands once federal and emirate-level orders are combined. Khaleej Times had earlier reported similar large-scale clemency moves around UAE Rulers’ pardons during national occasions.
The pardoned inmates from the federal directive will be released from correctional and punitive institutions across the UAE in the coming days.
