The Directorate General of Punitive Reformatory Establishments, Ministry of Interior (Rehabilitation Branch) organized an awareness week for inmates. The week, which was titled: “Honoring the Parents,” was organized in cooperation with the Community Police, the Family Development Foundation, and the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment (AWQAF).
The event was held in the establishment’s headquarters in Al Wathba and included various religious, awareness, and cultural lectures urging inmates to honor their parents and treat them with benevolence.
Captain Sultan Al Neyadi from the Rehabilitation Branch said: “This annual activity aims to strengthen connections between parents and their children in order to empower family ties and communication. This will help improve the behavior of inmates, as parents represent the first guide, preacher, advisor, and idol for children.”
According to Al Neyadi, the program focuses on educational principles and social values to honor parents and appreciate their roles in life. “Inmates and their parents should communicate as it helps on both psychological and social levels, as well as increases confidence that enables inmates to integrate with their families and communities once they are released,” he explained.
For his part, Suroor Al Nuaimi, Director of the Rehabilitation Branch and the activities supervisor, said: “The “Honoring the Parents” week includes fathers as well for their important role in family life; fathers are not less important than mothers. This event is not only a celebration; it includes many programs that urge inmates to honor and respect their parents.”
Ft. Lieutenant Sabha Mufleh, Director of the Women’s Branch, said: “The activities for female inmates include lectures and programs to empower religious influence to honor parents and take care of them as they age. This week aims to bestow upon members of the reformatory establishment the feeling that they are more than inmates within the system, but rather active members who have participated in the event as they believe in the role of their parents in their lives.”
Mufleh added that the program honors distinguished mothers and fathers while serving as motivation to increase mutual trust. The program also urges inmates to strive for a fresh start. “The event aims to educate them to honor their parents, whether they are currently within the system or outside the establishment. We will honor distinguished police mothers who work at the department, who successfully perform their duties and take care of their homes simultaneously,” she continued.
His Eminence Sheikh Zakaria Mohammed and His Eminence Sheikh Othman Al Khazraji from AWQAF participated in the activities; they delivered a lecture on the benefits of honoring parents.
The lecture focused on accepting God’s will when facing a catastrophe and reminded inmates that prison is not a punishment, but rather rehabilitation. It taught inmates to benefit from their current circumstances behind bars to build a new future, accepting God’s will in life, as they were predestined into this circumstance since their birth.