The first civil divorce case at Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court between a Muslim and non-Muslim has taken place.
While the judgment was made in May, details are only beginning to emerge of the case in which a non-Muslim from the UK was granted a no-fault divorce from his Muslim ex-wife from Australia.
The couple had married in 2019 in Australia before later moving to live in the UAE.
After their relationship had deteriorated, the husband filed for a no-fault divorce under Abu Dhabi’s Law No. 14 of 2021, which governs civil marriages and their dissolution.
By clarifying that Abu Dhabi’s civil family law can apply to expatriates of Muslim faith, the ruling broadens the scope of legal inclusivity in the UAE, accommodating its diverse expatriate population
Byron James,
lawyer
This law permits a spouse to "unilaterally request a divorce without the need to prove fault or assign blame".
The husband's request for a divorce was granted by Judge Abdelhafez Zidan, despite the protestations of the wife in the case.
She had argued that previous rulings and their residence in different emirates should disqualify the case from being heard in Abu Dhabi.
"[The ruling] reflects a deep commitment to justice and equity, ensuring that expatriates, including foreign Muslims, have access to fair and impartial legal recourse," said Byron James, partner at Expatriate Law and the lawyer for the man who brought the case forward.
"The ruling not only provides justice to my client but also sets a positive precedent for the future.
"The UAE's legal framework, particularly the civil marriage and divorce laws, showcases the country's dedication to adapting and modernising its judicial processes to serve its diverse population.”
The court's decision underscores its authority to handle personal status matters involving expatriates, even when both parties are Muslims, provided their home countries do not primarily apply Islamic law to such issues.
The court granted the divorce under the provisions of Law No. 14 of 2021, which allows for the dissolution of marriage based solely on one spouse's declaration of their desire to end the relationship.
This approach eliminates the need for contentious proof of harm or fault, simplifying the divorce process.
In addition to the divorce, the court affirmed joint custody of the couple's child in accordance with Article 26 of the same law.
Watershed judgment
“This ruling is a watershed moment for foreign Muslims living in the UAE, illustrating several critical points," said Mr James.
"The decision assures foreign Muslims that they can seek and obtain justice in Abu Dhabi’s civil courts for personal status matters, enjoying the same legal protections and considerations as other expatriates and citizens.
"By clarifying that Abu Dhabi’s civil family law can apply to expatriates of Muslim faith, the ruling broadens the scope of legal inclusivity in the UAE, accommodating its diverse expatriate population."
The judgment highlights Abu Dhabi’s progressive approach to law, one that is adaptable and inclusive, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to serving its multicultural residents, he added.
The Civil Family Court opened in December 2021 at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. It is part of new legislation to better support residents in the emirate.
The new family law includes equal legal rights for men and women, joint custody and the expediting of divorce procedures.
In February, an Australian Muslim living in the UAE was reunited with his two daughters after a prolonged legal battle.
In the landmark ruling by Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, a non-Emirati Muslim father was granted full custody of his children, with the mother receiving only visiting rights.
The court was again in the headlines last month when it was declared that non-Emirati lawyers would be able to represent clients there.
Previously, it was only Emirati lawyers who could operate in the country's courtrooms.
The new ruling applied only to the new Civil Family Court.
Watch: Inside Abu Dhabi's popular civil court marriages
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Take Me Apart
Kelela
(Warp)
The%20specs
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
MO
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Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Pakhtoons 137-6 (10 ov)
Fletcher 68 not out; Cutting 2-14
Sindhis 129-8 (10 ov)
Perera 47; Sohail 2-18
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
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The specs: 2017 Dodge Viper SRT
Price, base / as tested Dh460,000
Engine 8.4L V10
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 645hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 813Nm @ 5,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 16.8L / 100km
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
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Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
The%20specs%20
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Rating: 4.5/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EElggo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20August%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Luma%20Makari%20and%20Mirna%20Mneimneh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Education%20technology%20%2F%20health%20technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Four%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
Naga
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Abandon
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Translated by Arunava Sinha
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