An Omani initiative is helping to free prisoners and offer them a fresh opportunity in life.
The initiative called Fak Kurbah, which means “release hardship”, was started by a group of lawyers from the Omani Lawyers Association.
The group collects donations every Ramadan to help release those who have been jailed over civil, commercial, Sharia and labour offences.
Their approach is simple but powerful: they believe that everyone deserves a second chance.
With the initiative celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the team of lawyers is working hard to help release about 1,300 prisoners, giving them an opportunity to turn their lives around.
Over the years, the programme has enabled the release of more than 4,969 prisoners.
The sultanate's Ahad foundation, which was established to support women, people with disabilities and those with limited income, has joined forces with Fak Kurbah this year.
Speaking to The National, Dr Mohammed Al Zadjali, chairman of the Omani Lawyers Association and supervisor of Fak Kurbah, said the organisation consolidated Oman's “values of solidarity and cohesion”.
“It has become a beacon of hope for many, providing a second chance to those who have fallen on hard times,” Mr Al Zadjali said.
He spoke about a resident who was jailed after a road accident and was unable to afford the damages.
“Then there was a woman who, after causing an accident without valid insurance, was left with no other option but to serve time in prison,” Mr Al Zadjali said.
The initiative also helps those before they are sent to jail.
“There was this man who was faced mounting debt and the threat of jail time after failing to pay back a loan taken for his mother's medical treatment,” said Mr Al Zadjali.
“But thanks to the dedication of the volunteers and the generosity of its donors, Fak Kurbah has been able to provide a lifeline for those in need, helping them to get back on their feet.”
More than 100 lawyers have been volunteering for Fak Kurbah, which helps people in need in all regions of Oman, including citizens and residents from overseas.
“As an expat living in Oman for a long time, I am constantly impressed by the kindness and generosity of the Omani people. Fak Kurbah is a perfect example of this,” said Syed Aziz, who is involved with general voluntary work in the sultanate.
“It is amazing to see how the community comes together to support those who are in need, regardless of their nationality or background. I am proud to be living in a country that values justice and compassion in this way. Fak Kurbah is a true reflection of the spirit of Oman.”
For seven years, an anonymous donor from Al Dhahira governorate has been helping in the release of prisoners languishing in jails.
This Ramadan, the donor has helped to release 38 prisoners in the governorate.
How does Fak Kurbah work?
The initiative is launched every year during the holy month. Volunteers work to ensure the release of a set number of prisoners.
The initiative specifies conditions that prisoners need to meet for them to be released. Those jailed should not have any debts involving commercial, civil, labour or Sharia cases (not criminal cases), should not have a claim exceeding 2,000 Omani Rials ($5,190) and can benefit from the initiative only once.
Elderly and those facing smaller claims are given priority.
The programme does not accept individual applications, and all cases must be referred by the Council of Administrative Affairs for the Judiciary.
The group of lawyers have said that in future they will run the programme all year round.
“Fak Kurbah is a shining example of the values that make Oman such a unique and special place. It is heartening to see so many people coming together to support those who have been imprisoned under difficult circumstances,” said Abdullah Al Hosni, an Omani national.
“This initiative is a true reflection of the generosity and compassion that is inherent in our society, and I hope that it will continue to do so for many years to come.”
The programme accepts donations via bank transfer and through the Fak Kurbah website, which was launched in 2022 to increase awareness and lead to more donations.
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
T20 World Cup Qualifier
Final: Netherlands beat PNG by seven wickets
Qualified teams
1. Netherlands
2. PNG
3. Ireland
4. Namibia
5. Scotland
6. Oman
T20 World Cup 2020, Australia
Group A: Sri Lanka, PNG, Ireland, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: TBA
On sale: Q2, 2020
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
