UAE Leaders Release Thousands of Prisoners Ahead of Union Day

  • Publish date: Thursday، 27 November 2025 Reading time: two min read

UAE grants mass prisoner pardon ahead of 54th Union Day — thousands freed as a gesture of mercy and reintegration.

The United Arab Emirates has announced a sweeping pardon ahead of the nation’s 54th UAE Union Day, with authorities releasing thousands of inmates across the country.

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On Thursday, November 27, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ordered the release of 2,937 prisoners from correctional institutions, marking one of the largest clemency efforts ahead of the national celebrations. 

In addition to the presidential pardon, regional rulers also participated. The ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, freed 366 inmates for good conduct. Other emirates followed suit via similar clemency orders, contributing to the scale and breadth of the releases across the federation.

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Importantly, Sheikh Mohamed pledged to absolve all financial fines and penalties imposed on the pardoned prisoners, relieving them and their families of outstanding debts. The decision reflects a long-standing tradition in the UAE: to use major national occasions such as Union Day, Ramadan, and Eid as moments to demonstrate compassion, social solidarity, and to offer individuals a chance at rehabilitation and reintegration. 

Officials described the pardons as part of a broader effort to promote social cohesion, stability, and provide former inmates with an opportunity to rebuild their lives, reunite with their families, and contribute positively to their communities. 

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For many families, this gesture brings relief and hope, especially ahead of the country’s national celebrations.

This latest pardon reaffirms the UAE leadership’s commitment to justice tempered with mercy, underlining a national ethos that values forgiveness, second chances, and the possibility of redemption. As the Union Day festivities approach, the release of thousands of prisoners stands out as a symbolic act — one that resonates with the spirit of unity and renewal that the day represents.