UAE Misses Ramadan Preachers Detained over Their Opinions
In Ramadan, Emiratis long for the return of religious leaders and scholars detained by the government in the past for expressing opinions advocating reform, human rights, and political change.
Human rights observers report that for over a decade, the UAE government has persistently detained numerous prominent figures, including academics, legal experts, judges, educators, and even students. These individuals are currently being retried on charges of alleged involvement in the formation and backing of a “terrorist organization
Preachers and Islamic religious scholars were not spared from arrest, as Emiratis and Muslims around the world may need them most in the holy month of Ramadan.
Abu Dhabi is re-trying these preachers in the case known in the media as the “UAE 84”, illegally, as it had judicially decided against them on the same charges in March 2013, in the “UAE 94” case.
The majority of their sentences ended in the past two years, 2022 and 2023. However, authorities refused to release them, indicating that the UAE’s initiative for interfaith tolerance and coexistence does not extend to Islamic preachers, whom they perceive as “terrorists.”
The opposition website (uae71) said that these preachers and scholars did not appreciate their distinguished role in Emirati society, nor even the honors that the state gave them before it classified them as opponents and put them in prison.
Muhammad Al-Siddiq
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Siddiq, a prominent figure among the detained preachers, holds affiliations with the International Union of Muslim Scholars and holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Association of Sharia Scholars in the Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
Sheikh Al-Siddiq earned a Master’s degree in Jurisprudence and its Principles from the Sharia College in Riyadh. He served as a faculty member in the Department of Jurisprudence and its Principles at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, University of Sharjah, from 2001 to 2007. Additionally, he holds membership on various Sharia boards within Islamic financial institutions.
Al-Siddiq occupies a distinguished academic position, and has won many awards, including the “Citizens on the Path of Excellence” award and the “Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence.” He was also significantly active in advocacy work, as he presented a religious program on the Al-Sharq Channel, and worked Also a supervisor of the Zayed Center for Quran Memorization.
Abdul Salam Darwish
Darwish held the position of Chief of the Family Counseling Department at Dubai Courts. He is recognized as a leading advocate for family reform in the Emirates, and his initiatives have played a significant role in fostering positive change within numerous Emirati families.
Darwish also had distinguished efforts in advocacy work, as he worked as general supervisor of the Bidaya satellite channel, an Islamic channel that broadcasts religious lessons and is active in the advocacy field.
Ahmed Al Suwaidi
Besides Al-Siddiq and Darwish, Emirati authorities have detained preacher Ahmed Al-Suwaidi, a highly respected figure in the Emirates. Before his arrest, Al-Suwaidi served as Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Dubai Qur’an Award, one of the most prestigious accolades for Qur’anic excellence in t
Al-Suwaidi was distinguished by his intense advocacy activity. He worked as director of the Islamic Scientific Institute in Ajman and director of the Islamic Scientific Institute Center for Adult Education. He had a remarkable presence in Islamic centers, where he gave religious lectures.
Ali Al Hammadi
Among the detained preachers in the Emirates is Dr. Ali Al-Hammadi, a prominent figure in this Gulf country. Despite his background in administration, Dr. Al-Hammadi was highly active in preaching, notably appearing on television channels. He served as the manager of the (Hayatna) channel and hosted several purposeful advocacy programs such as “You Are Life” and “The Story of Empowerment.” Some of his programs were also broadcast on the “Iqraa” and “Bedaya” channels.
Al-Hammadi also supervised advocacy websites as well, as he was general supervisor of the “Islam Time” website, and his advocacy activity extended to include even local channels in the Emirates, as he appeared many times on the channels of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.
There is no doubt that the arrest of these preachers left a space in Emirati society that no one could fill, and led to the demolition of preaching work in the Emirates, as the Emirates lacks people like them today.
Preachers known for their significant contributions to establishing preaching channels, memorization centers, and Islamic institutes face neglect in Emirati prisons, where their names are scarcely mentioned. However, their legacy remains indelible, as highlighted by the Emirati Detainees’ Advocacy Center.
