Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has pardoned 553 prisoners on the occasion of Ramadan. The humanitarian gesture will give the inmates a second chance in life and help strengthen family ties. On Sunday, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa ordered the release of 439 inmates. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, also released 206 prisoners ahead of the holy month. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, ordered the release of 55 prisoners. The pardon is a gesture by Sheikh Humaid to give prisoners an opportunity to start a new life and alleviate their families’ hardship. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, the Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, also ordered the release of a number of people from prisons and corrective institutions. Sheikh Saud expressed his wishes to see the released prisoners take the opportunity to start a new life and become productive members of society. The UAE also set out a plan this week to fund <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/ramadan-2021-ruler-of-dubai-sets-out-plan-to-give-away-100-million-meals-1.1201226">100 million free meals</a> in 20 countries. Sheikh Mohammed said there were 52 million people living within a four-hour flight of the Emirates at risk of hunger. A website set up for the campaign allows people to donate as little as Dh10 ($2.7) to fund 10 meals, rising to Dh500.
