UAE family matters Q&A: I fret about going to court over marriage



I am a non-Muslim Asian woman and I recently gave birth at a hospital. When I tried to get a birth certificate from the hospital, they asked me to go to court and get a court order so it can be issued. When I sought clarification, they said that the period between the date of marriage on my marriage certificate and the delivery date of my baby was less than 180 days. I explained to them that the marriage certificate was issued two months after the actual marriage ceremony but they are demanding that I get the court order, although I’m afraid to go to court. Is there any alternative to going through this process?

If what you are saying regarding your marriage is true, please note that you have nothing to worry about in going to court. You have the right to file a case requesting the court to pass an order allowing you to get the birth certificate, based on the above facts. It is quite likely that the court will ask you to produce witnesses (two men or two women and a man) to testify the exact date and place of your marriage. It is also advisable that you give the court copies of your application for the marriage certificate, along with any other document that can confirm the date of your marriage ceremony.

I am a Muslim woman and have been married for two years. My husband and I have a child. Until now, he has not paid the agreed dowry and refuses to pay this money. Do I have a right to claim a divorce on this ground?

As per Article 116/2 of the Federal law no28 of 2005 – the Personal Status Law – you do not have the right to claim divorce from your husband based on this situation. But you certainly have the right to claim dowry from your husband based on the same law, so you should look to start a case to claim it.

If you have a question for our legal consultant, email media@professionallawyer.me with the subject line ‘Family Matters’.

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Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

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Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.

• For more information visit the library network's website.

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Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

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The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.


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