Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
I am a mother of two living in Dubai. My husband has recently become a heavy drinker. I am not sure if I want to divorce him or not but what can I do to get the custody over my children for the time being?
UAE law calls for the maintenance of a favourable and holistic environment for children. When the court is tasked with determining which parent should be granted child custody, it must consider where the child’s best interests would lie.
Article 143 of the Personal Status Law provides a condition that the custodian must be sound of mind and competent enough to raise and protect a child when they are in their custody. Heavy drinking will likely harm his petition to claim custody.
Article 156 of the Federal Law No. 28 of 2005 states that mothers can only have custody of their sons until they turn 11, and for their daughters until they turn 13 – unless the court decides that it is in the child’s interest to extend that period until the son turns 18 or the daughter marries.
Given the issue of alcohol abuse, the court could choose to reject your husband’s custody claim. In light of the foregoing, it is more likely that the court may extend the custody with the mother. Moreover, a custody case can be filed independently of a divorce case or as part of the divorce claim.
I am a Muslim and my fiancé is Christian. We are planning to get married in Dubai next year but I was warned that he must convert to Islam and become a Muslim beforehand. Could you explain the procedure and if this really affects my chance to marry him?
Under Islamic Law it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man unless the husband-to-be converts to Islam first. However, it is legal for a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim wife who has not converted to Islam.
As per Article 47/8 of the Federal Law No. 28 of 2005, the marriage by a Muslim woman to a non-Muslim is prohibited and therefore such a marriage is invalid in the UAE.
If a couple is living in the UAE, their marriage, cohabitation and any resulting pregnancy shall be subject to the laws of the Emirates.
If you have a question for our legal consultant, email media@professionallawyer.me with the subject line "Family Matters".
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
