Organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the Ministry of Interior, the Ramadan Councils continued Monday evening across the UAE; attended by a number of officers from the Law Respect Culture Bureau; citizens, residents, journalists and editors-in-chief from several newspapers.
In its third day, the Council tackled the “Role of Sports Institutions in Supporting Law Respect Culture”, through four main topics, namely; the “law respect culture and its religious, social and legal importance”; the “role of Sports Institutions in Supporting Law Respect Culture”; the “negative and positive sports image, and how does it contribute to instill the law respect culture”; and as a fourth topic, some “legal highlights”.
Discussions focused on the councils’ main objectives, praising the Ministry of Interior’s keenness to achieve confidence and communication with community members, by establishing social-oriented departments, which seek to develop the sense of societal responsibility among individuals, and acquaint them with the vital role they play to support state institutions in discharging their duties, based on interaction and exchange rather than receiving and implementing orders.
The Councils’ sessions also included an overview of the establishment of the Law Respect Culture Bureau, the General Secretariat of His Highness Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior; based on the fact that acquainting individuals with the laws that apply to them, make them more efficient and contributory to achieve their security and the security of others. For this end, the Bureau has sought to educate individuals on provisions of the law and their significant importance in their lives. Following the successful mobile legal Ramadan tents that roamed the various emirates last Ramadan; and as per the instructions of the police leadership to make the legal meetings friendlier and closer, it was decided to hold the Ramadan councils in citizens’ homes this year.
Khalid Bakhit bin Tannaf Al Menhali hosted the third Ramadan Council at his home in Abu Dhabi. Journalist Osama Al Amiri from Abu Dhabi Sports TV led the discussions, in the presence of a number of citizens and residents.
Addressing the gathering, Khalid Bakhit bin Tannaf Al Menhali expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, on the initiatives launched by the Ministry of Interior.
Moreover, Al Menhali praised the pioneering idea behind the Ramadan Councils organized across the state in enhancing communication between citizens and decision-makers in the country, so as to allow citizens to submit their ideas on the topics that are being discussed transparently and openly.
He added that the Ramadan Councils Ramadan held during the holy month of Ramadan play a significantly vital and active role in establishing communication and amity between community members during the holy month. He also pointed out that these Councils reflect an original approach; and are deeply rooted in the country’s traditions and usages. They have always been a tool to reunite members of society of all ages and categories, to discuss topics related to community affairs in all areas.
Journalist Osama Al Amiri inaugurated the Council’s session by expressing his thanks to the police leadership for giving its instructions to hold such important councils. He also extended his heartfelt thanks to all those who opened their homes to allow citizens to freely take part in discussing a number of key issues, as per a scientific manner, with prominent figures, with strong community presence, who have a wealth of ideas and experiences, as well as a significant knowledge with the topics at hand.
Al Amiri highlighted the key topic that was discussed at the Council, under the title: “Role of Sports Institutions in Supporting Law Respect Culture”; indicating that the debate touched on several topics, notably the extent of community members’ knowledge of the provisions of the laws and regulations in force in the state in general; the extent of their commitment to these laws; and whether this commitment is a moral obligation or a practice that stems of punishment or legal penalty. It also shed light on the athletes’ role in acquainting community members with these laws; given that they make up a role model for young people.
Khalid Bakhit bin Tannaf Al Menhali emphasized that acquainting people with the law is a joint effort between the various governmental or private institutions in society. “Law Respect is a key feature of the UAE people and residents alike. This is achieved thanks to the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to acquaint people with the law and the need to abide by it,” he added. Furthermore, he called on all members of society to take part efficiently in implementing the provisions of the law and disseminating the law respect culture; stressing that instilling the legal culture among people will contribute significantly to the state’s roster of achievements, and spread a sense of security and stability among community members.
Al Menhali stressed the need for sports organizations that have large audiences in the community, to protect its members and fans, by joining efforts with other community institutions to spread legal education: “This would produce a legally-aware generation, which can contribute significantly to the state’s progress and development; and which understands the importance of staying away from trouble,” he continued.
On the same note, bin Tannaf Al Menhali shed light on the leading tasks carried out by the Ministry of Interior in acquainting community members with the laws, rules and regulations, through various means and methods, especially the media, pointing out that the laws enacted by the state aim to protect people’s best interests, and community members need to comply with these laws.
Mabkhout Bakhit Al Menhali concurred with this idea, stating that people who obey the law can enjoy the associated benefits, while those who break the law will have to face accountability. “For this end, institutions need to exert further efforts to educate the public with all the applicable laws and regulations,” he noted.
For his part, Mohsen Bakhit Al Menhali praised the Ministry of Interior’s pivotal role in spreading the law respect culture, through the various awareness and informational campaigns it carries out throughout the year. “These Ramadan Councils are an important tool to instill the legal culture among members of society,” he said.
Also commenting on the subject, Fayel Aida Al Menhali affirmed that when it comes to the law, there are two categories of people; those who abide by the law out of fear of the ensuing punishment; and those who obey the law out of conviction that such legislations and regulations were only enacted for their own good, and comprise a lot of benefits. “Civilized societies are the ones that uphold the law; lawless communities will be invaded by crimes and cannot achieve progress and prosperity.
Furthermore, Mohammed Al Menhali indicated that sports institutions need to undertake a greater role in instilling legal education among its members and fans; noting that some of them are falling short of spreading this culture. He also stressed that individual violations taking place in sports stadiums do not represent or reflect the club or sports institution that the law violator supports.
For his part, Mr. Mohammed Nasser pointed out the need for the media to play a greater role in instilling legal education among community members. He indicated that some informational material presented by some TV channels, have a negative impact and contribute to spread certain types of crimes. Therefore, viewers, particularly young people, should be instructed and taught not to watch or follow such informational material.
In turn, Hariz Hamad Al Menhali noted that sports fans that frequent stadiums are of different cultures and ages. Therefore, sports clubs must benefit from their presence to broadcast legal materials on stadium giant screens, so as to spread the legal culture among them.
“Sports commentators can also present legal materials to TV viewers. Such topics need to be tackled in sports organizations, through cooperation and coordination with various relevant governmental institutions”, he said.
For his part, Mr. Sadeq Mabkhout Al Menhali stated that all governmental institutions must have public-oriented informational material that clearly and continuously acquaint members of the public, with the regulations and legislations, so as to establish the law respect culture.
Moreover, participants stressed the need to include legal material, as well as regulations, and legislations in force in the State, in schools curricula, so as to reach all segments of society.
At the end of the Council, Journalist Osama Al Amiri expressed his thanks and appreciation to Mr. Khalid Bakhit bin Tannaf Al Menhali for hosting the council; and to the Law Respect Culture Bureau for its diligent efforts to organize and hold such councils.
In Dubai, Mr. Mohammed bin Sulayem hosted the third Ramadan Council, led by TV presenter Hassan Habib. Present at the Council were Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Director of the Dubai Police General Directorate of Traffic; Mr. Atiq Mubarak, Safety, Security, and International Aviation Advisor; along with preachers from the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments; Mohammed Al Marri, the UAE champion in Powerboat Races; and Ali Bujsaim, retired international football referee.
The Council recommended that sports clubs Boards of Directors need to adopt the principles of this culture, which prevents their players from committing legal mistakes that put sports club in an awkward position and force them to follow up the violations committed by the player, and seek to avoid him accountability. It also pointed out the need for contracts to include specific conditions, regarding the player’s behavior outside the stadium. These conditions stipulate that the player behaves well and be a positive role model in society; otherwise, the player would be in violation of the contract’s conditions. Moreover, the Council stressed the keenness to instill the Law Respect Culture in the hearts of young players (the youth) from the moment they engage in sports activities; in order to be taught these principles since a very young age.
It is noteworthy that Al Shureiji bin Ma’dan Al Ketbi hosted the Ramadan Council in the Al Madam City in Sharjah. Discussions were led by journalist Ali Abdul Karim bin Salloum.
For his part, preacher Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Hamadi stressed the need to respect the legal system set by the rulers. He pointed out that the provisions of the Islamic Law are based on two sources: the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
He also called on the attendees to a focus on the Law Respect Culture to curb hooliganism and stadium riots, stressing the role of coaches, administrators, technical and administrative staff in controlling the behavior in the stadium and on the field. He pointed out that sporting crowds’ emotions are affected by the technical and administrative staff’s behavior.
For his part, Saeed bin Laith Al Tunaiji, member of the Al Dhaid Cultural Sports Club said that the ultimate goal of the Councils and forums is to achieve cohesion and amity between community members.
Furthermore, Salem Sultan bin Ajil, member of Al madam Cultural Sports Club, stressed the keenness to instill societal responsibility in young people, and to send children and adolescents to sports clubs to usefully fill their leisure time.
Participants in the Council called for the need to organize a training educational course for the administrative and technical staff to acquaint them with the Law Respect Culture. They also recommended to communicate with the heads of sports clubs, and to determine the penalties for hooliganism. This is achieved through awareness-raising leaflets, banners and boards, and by informing all relevant authorities when promulgating new laws. He also stressed the keenness to promote a law culture respect among students, and at an early age within the family.
Obeid Mohammed Obeid Al Zaabi hosted the Ramadan council in Ajman, where Journalist Adnan Hamad led the discussion. The council was attended by Dr. Abdullah Al Ansari, Family Relations Official; Colonel Dr. Matar Al Shamesi, Director of the Human Resources Department in Ajman Police; Dr. Abdul Karim Akioui, one of the guests of His Highness the President of the state; and Brigadier Saleh Al Matrooshi, Director General of the Civil Defense. Participants stressed the importance of the legal culture in protecting individuals from legal issues that often ensue dangerous consequences; explaining that several individuals commit crimes as a result of their ignorance of the provisions of the law. Obeid bin Fadil Al Ghafli hosted the council in Umm Al Quwain, where discussions were led by journalist Abdullah Ismail.
On the same note, Mohammed Al Sakar hosted the Ramadan in Council in Ras Al Khaimah, where media figure Munther Al Muzki led the discussion. The Council was attended by scientists, guests of His Highness President of the State; Obeid Salem Al Shamesi, Deputy Chairman of the Football Association; Dr. Ahmed Saeed Al Sharif, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; Advisor Ahmed Al Kamali, Chairman of the Emirates Athletics Federation; member of the International Federation; Dr. Mohammed Al Murr, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Dubai Police; and Ambassador Ahmed Al Mil Al Zaabi, former ambassador of the State in Egypt.
Dr. Ramadan Abdul-Aziz stressed the importance of having a religious preacher working at each Sports Club. Ahmed Ali recommended that the Ministry of Education introduce a course to the academic curriculum, aimed at promoting and disseminating the law respect culture among school students.
At the end of the session, Mohammed Al Sakar honored the Law respect Culture Bureau at the Ministry of Interior.
Mohammed Rashid Al Rashidi hosted the Ramadan Council in Fujairah, led by journalist Ali Al Shamesi.
Mohammed Hassan Dhanhani, Chairman of Dibba Al-Fujairah Sports Club tackled the importance of developing laws within employment contracts. This point of view was shared by Colonel Ahmed Hamdan Al Zayoudi, Director of Punitive and Correctional Establishments in Fujairah, member of the Police Sports Union.
For his part, Dr. Ahmad Al Khuzaimi presented an overview on the origins of the Ramadan councils and how they are associated with customs, traditions and sports as a fertile ground for instilling the law culture.
Commenting on the same subject, Preacher Ahmed Al Rifai indicated that respecting and upholding the laws stem from the Islamic law (Shari’a). Moreover, Eng. Ahmad Al Yammahi, a Board member of the Al Orouba Sports Club, tackled the experience of linking sports activities with the national activities organized on the National Day celebrations.
The Council was attended by Sharif Al Awadhi, Chairman of Al Fujairah Sports Club; and Colonel Ahmed Hamdan Al Zayoudi, member of the Police Sports Union.
Topics of the Council
As a first topic, the Ramadan Council highlighted the concept of law respect culture and its religious, social and legal importance. It has created a social culture among community members of all ages and categories, on the need to respect legislations (often referred to as written laws) and unwritten laws (customs, traditions, practices, usages, and other maxims of human conduct), because of their essential and vital role in protecting their rights and their lives and ensure their safety and freedoms. This would encourage individuals to respect the law out of conviction, not out of fear of punishment or legal penalty.
This topic explained that violating the law may often be considered as a crime, similar to murder and robbery, and is consequently punishable by a penalty determined by the law. Disobeying traditions and customs is not considered as a legal crime; it is rather a social violation often punishable by resentment and contempt from community members, unless such violations affect public morals. In such cases, the judge gets to determine if the violation constitutes a criminal behavior, and rule accordingly. This would guarantee that personal freedoms are not violated in the name of law, and that usages and laws cannot be violated in the name of personal freedom.
With respect to the social aspect, the Ramadan Council indicated that humans are social beings that cannot live or fulfill their needs alone; which prompts them to live in societies or within groups. Living in a society requires establishing relationships between its members, on the economic, social or familial levels; and such relationships need to be identified and well organized, because the human being is selfish in nature and seeks to achieve its interests at the expense of the interests of others.
This explains the idea of rights and obligations. Each member of society has specific rights, namely; the right to life; equality; work and creativity. Equally, he is bound by the obligation to respect and guarantee the same rights of others; within a specific framework of freedom. Preserving and protecting these rights prompted the enactment of a law that applies to everyone, in order to guarantee the rights of individuals and prevent them from violating the rights of others. Furthermore, and in order to ensure the implementation of these laws without any discrimination; the Authority was given to the State; which had to impose the mandatory legal rules; as well as the punishment and sanctions on anyone who violates the law. The law itself was originally promulgated to protect the rights and freedoms of every individual, and is not limited to a particular individual or group.
With respect to the religious aspect, the Council revealed that the provisions of the Islamic Law are based on two sources: the Holy Quran and the Sunnah; and leaders of Islamic Countries have the right to enact laws that guarantee the good interests of people. For this reason, it is necessary to respect the system of laws promulgated by officials, as long as they aim at protecting rights and ensuring compliance with the rules and usages in societies with respect to protection of religion, country, individuals, honor, money and the mind; as well as protection of individuals against moral crimes. Therefore, it is mandatory to obey officials and leaders who enacted the laws that aim at achieving progress and development, protecting rights and identifying obligations, as per the provisions of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
With respect to the legal aspect, the Council ascertained the importance of legal culture to guarantee that individuals do not violate law regulations out of ignorance. There is an established legal principle in the Islamic jurisprudence that says: “ignorance of the law excuses no one”. It means that when a law is issued by the authorized party and approved by the President of the State then published in the Official Gazette, it becomes binding to every individual within the State borders. Therefore, no one can claim that he or she is unaware of the law in question, and will consequently be held liable for sanction in case of any violation. Therefore, it is important to create a positive relation among individuals and the law, to convince them that the binding laws enacted by higher authorities are not in vain. Moreover, the law-making process is not arbitrary; it is done according to a scientific methodology and well-advised statistics, to achieve the best interests of all individuals. These laws, even if they restrain freedoms to a certain extent, were promulgated to protect individuals, who should be aware that it is in their good interest and the interest of others around them to respect the law.
The second topic tackled the role of sports institutions in instilling the law respect culture.
The third topic tackled the “negative and positive sports image, and how does it contribute to instill the law respect culture”. It indicated that celebrity athletes deeply influence the youth, and become role models for young people in their behavior and actions, even in their looks and clothes. In this context, celebrity athletes represent a major factor of moral leadership in the community, sending implicit moral messages to the young generations through their behavior. These messages may be positive, and encourage the youth to respect others; comply with the laws of civilized and fair competition; show sportsmanship; in a manner that hones behavior. Yet, these messages can often have a negative impact, as athletes may engage in bad behavior that break the law and usages inside stadiums, such as actions that affect public morals, insulting referees or attacking other players. Young people may blindly imitate such negative behaviors, failing to realize their legal consequences.
Do athletes take advantage of their ability to positively influence the youth by becoming ambassadors for civil society bodies that endeavor to instill awareness among young people, as they represent major sports companies? Do negative behaviors that are contrary to the law and values that athletes engage in, send a negative message to fans, encouraging them to imitate blindly and unknowingly such behaviors? Are players and fans aware that some behavior they might engage in at the stadiums is punishable by the law?
The fourth topic tackled legal highlights, explaining that the legislative process is a dynamic and ongoing one … that issues laws, and amends others. It revokes laws that may affect us directly or indirectly; laws that may be related to us as individuals, or to those around us. Yet, we need to acknowledge that many of us are ignorant of the provisions of these laws even if they directly affect our life. We may also inadvertently violate these laws on a daily basis. Therefore, we all need to be acquainted with these laws, to ensure that we don’t find ourselves involved in a legal problem “without knowing that we have committed a crime”; and "ignorance of the law is not an excuse to avoid liability.
Some individuals may be surprised to see that certain daily practices are punishable by the law, or surprised by the gravity of some sanctions on actions they deemed minor or trivial. Some might even claim that they never heard of precedence in such cases, or say that some crimes cannot be proven under some circumstances.
However, experience in the justice system has shown that many persons got involved in actions they never expected to be criminal acts to begin with; to involve such serious sanctions; or that the particular circumstances of time and place may get them involved in some kind of crime. Those people were held liable for their actions criminally and socially; unable to defend themselves under the pretext of ignoring the provisions of the law. Breaking the law repeatedly does not indicate the legitimacy of the illegal behavior and the burden of proving the occurrence of a crime does not mean that it did not occur. Hence, it is important to know the provisions of the law, as the best means to prevent the consequences of law violations.
Cyber crimes inadvertently committed by young people
Many young people believe that using their computer at home or using a fake username to exercise his freedom on social networking sites, make it safe for them to do and say what they deem fit, without supervision. But in fact, modern technology devices, which provide the latest means of communication, have also provided law enforcement bodies in the State with the latest techniques and facilities to supervise the use of these modern devices to ensure they are not used to commit crimes against others and against the community. For this end, competent departments and electronic patrols roam the virtual world to ensure the safety, freedom, and legal use of this world.
It is noteworthy that the fourth day of the Ramadan councils organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau will be held on Sunday, July 28 across the country, and will tackle the role of cultural and heritage institutions in supporting the law respect culture.
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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
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