Tuesday: 10 August 2010:
an awareness booklet in 7 languages
The Office of Law Respect and Culture at the Secretariat General of the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior has prepared three cultural competitions on Abu Dhabi, Emirates TV, Holy Quran Radio and Emirates FM throughout the month of Ramadan, as part of its cultural and educational role to all the community.
The Office has also issued a booklet under the title Qanooniat Ramadania (Legal Aspects of Behaviors during Ramadan), in seven languages. The booklet deals with behaviours that affect moral and religious aspects of the community, such as cursing divine religions, their sacred images, eating and drinking in daylight during Ramadan and begging and its negative effects on the community.
Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Salah Al Ghoul, Director of Law Respect Culture Office said "The competition aim is to raise law culture standard, to instill many basic law principles in people minds which increases awareness of the law and establishes respect of the law. There will be valuable financial prizes for the winners".
"The country adopts a civilized approach which respects religions, spreads tolerance among worshippers and disseminates the spirit of love and brotherhood. The UAE community has principles and rules which it is keen to maintain and feel proud of. Our Arab and religious traditions and customs calls for harmony within the value system of the nation" added Al; Ghoul.
"Human rights and public liberties are secured by law, on condition that the basic moral rules of the community shall not be harmed. Article No. 44 of the Constitution says 'Respect of the constitution, laws and orders issued by the public authorities, observation of public order and public decencies is a must for all the people'", added Al Ghoul.
Dr. Al Ghoul has urged all community members to observe the sanctity and holiness of the Month of Ramadan and the spiritual aspect that differentiates it from the remaining months of the year.
Therefore, any eating or drinking in public during Ramadan is considered a crime by the Federal Law, irrespective of offender, and it entails a term of imprisonment of not more than one month or a fine of not more than DH2,000. Any one who encourages such behavior will be punished as well. The store which is used for such offence will be closed for one month.
The booklet also contains some Islamic values adopted by the law and any violation of them is considered a crime, such as violation of public decency, cutting trees, assaulting animals, practicing black magic and conjuration:
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Eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan will entail one month in jail or a Dh2,000 fine.
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Any one who cuts, uproots, damages or peels to death a tree will be awarded a jail sentence of one month to three years plus a fine up to Dh30,00, or one of the two punishments
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Anyone who is above 18 years of age, whether he is disabled="disabled" or can not work, is prohibited from begging on public streets and public places and stores. The following practices are considered a type of begging: Selling trivial goods, practicing acrobatics which can not be considered a serious source of living, pretending to be injured or having permanent disability or a
