UAE, February 18th, 2026: His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has directed the release of 1440 inmates in the correctional and penal facilities in the country before Ramadan 2026.
The move to release the captives is an indication of the long-term efforts of the UAE leadership in terms of mercy, forgiveness, and community togetherness in the sacred month of Ramadan. This tradition is held every year to underscore the balanced nature of the approach to justice in the country which upholds rehabilitation in addition to accountability.
Reasons Why Release Of 1,440 Inmates Counts
The provision of 1440 inmates will not be just the act of a rule of law, but a humanitarian program which has its roots in the spirituality of Ramadan. It is a month of reflections, repentance and second chances, so it will be of particular importance that the inmates will get a chance to see their families during the holy month.
The UAE President released 1440 prisoners to send a very strong message regarding the value of compassion in leadership. Families of those prisoners will now enjoy Ramadan with the family, which will strengthen their family relationships and restore hope. The decision also highlights the level of trust that the UAE has placed on rehabilitation programs since most of the prisoners have shown that they have been well behaved and have the desire to change.

Inmate Financial Support
Besides commanding the release of prisoners, Sheikh Mohamed has promised to pay financial obligations and fines that were handed on them as part of their sentences where needed. This assures that the 1440 inmates are able to integrate into the society without financial pressure on them.
The leadership pays these costs to increase the effectiveness of releasing prisoners and make the initiative look more of a support system and less of a pardon. The officials will collaborate in the Emirates to ensure that the 1440 inmates are released in a smooth way and on time to ensure that they go home before or during Ramadan.
Enhancement Of Social Stability
It is a significant matter that 1440 inmates are released to foster social cohesion and stability. Communities reap long-term gains of reconciling and rehabilitating the prisoners in the second chance. Ramadan is all about forgiveness and mercy and the move to release these prisoners will go hand in hand with these virtues. It further drives the point that the causes of change can be realized through justice systems.
Another aspect that the initiative focuses on is the philosophy of leadership in the UAE is that, the prisoners who have improved should be rewarded with a chance to start their life afresh.

One Of The Traditions Of Mercy In The UAE
This pardoning of 1440 prisoners is not a new development in the UAE where leaders have consistently issued pardons on major religious and national events. New decrees every year inform about the commitment of the country to humanitarian values. The UAE once again showed that governance can be strong and compassionate through this gesture. The choice is a representation of hope, renewal, and the strength of second chances.
The release of 1440 inmates is a great reminder of how the holy month of Ramadan can be changed. This ruling is the start of a new life to the prisoners and their families. The case provided to 1440 inmates can be used as evidence of how forgiveness can open the door to positive change. The prisoners will successfully become self-regulating members of the society with the support of family and acceptance of the community. After all, granting 1440 inmates their freedom is not just a presidential executive order, it is an act of mercy, rebirth, and nationalism at the very least on one of the most holy days of the year.

