Some of the seized spices, which police believe were mixed by the four to concoct a 'magic' potion.
Some of the seized spices, which police believe were mixed by the four to concoct a 'magic' potion.

Four UAE 'black magic practitioners' caught in sting operation



A woman who helped police set up a sting operation to catch three black magic practitioners was also arrested when it was discovered she herself practised black magic.

The woman, an illegal resident, reported her three friends to police as an act of revenge, said Col Salem Sultan Al Darmaki, the head of Ras Al Khaimah CID yesterday.

Police arrested the three Arab women in their apartment where they were found with an Emirati man, spices and liquids used in black magic, alcohol and tissue with human sperm.

Police believed these items were mixed to make a “magic” potion.

The informer was then arrested when it was revealed that she was also a “sorcerer”.

All four women confessed that they had used black magic for “a long time” to trick people out of their money, police reported.

Men and women of several nationalities requested the women’s help for financial and relationship problems.

Police did not disclose how much the women, who were in their 20s and 30s, charged.

It is believed that they operated for a period of at least two years in the Nakheel area of RAK by word of mouth.

One of the women worked in a perfume shop and another worked at a shisha cafe.

The case has been referred to Public Prosecution.

Police have warned youths not to be deceived by false promises of black magic.

“If you want happiness and a good life you must go to pray and look to the Quran,” said Lt Thaer Al Najjar of RAK police.

A recent Friday sermon warned that sorcerers are "immoral" and "vicious" and that the prayers of Muslims who seek help from them will be annulled.

azacharias@thenational.ae

The bio

Who inspires you?

I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist

How do you relax?

Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.

What is favourite book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times

What is your favourite Arabic film?

Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki

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Mamma Mia

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Edinburgh: November 4 (unchanged)

Bahrain: November 15 (from September 15); second daily service from January 1

Kuwait: November 15 (from September 16)

Mumbai: January 1 (from October 27)

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