UAE judge pardons illegal resident because of his son's name

Umm Al Quwain - The Emirati judge also cleared him of his fines which amounted to Dh60,000.

To have a son named Zayed may sound regular elsewhere. But, here in the UAE, the case is completely different.
An Asian resident has known this fact for real.

Having been an illegal resident here for years, he was arrested by the UAQ police, and then referred to the public prosecution until he finally landed in court.
The man was shocked to find himself required to pay Dh60,000 in fines against his over stay.
But as luck would have it, he was to have a son whom he named after the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The Emirati judge hearing the Asian father's case could not help but pardon the man and pay out all his due fines in recognition for the boy named Zayed .
"When it comes to Zayed, there is nothing impossible. You can only find bounty and generosity," the judge said.
"This is nothing but what we have learnt from the father of the nation, he added, while putting his scarf on the young Zayed. This is to celebrate the 48th UAE National Day," the judge added.
The Asian resident, who wished to remain anonymous, could not believe his ears. "I could not even dream of such a miracle," he said.
An eyewitness told Khaleej Times that "this is the first time in my entire life to experience an exceptional example of generosity and tolerance."
"This is  what we have learnt here from the children of Zayed, the father of the Nation."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Umm Al Quwain