Ten Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Al-Islah

Al Islah- a name that is increasingly being mentioned in the UAE,  especially since the last crackdown against it began. The observer will note the Security Forces' continuing attempts to tarnish the image of anything Al-Islah related. They do this mainly through fabricating and spreading baseless accusations. What is interesting is that some well known intellectuals have now started repeating the same mantra and taunting those fabrications as facts.  This is why I will answer here some of the frequently asked questions about Al-Islah.

1- What is Al-Islah?

Al-Islah (meaning "Reform" in Arabic) is a peaceful social reform association established in 1974 in accordance with the laws and regulations of the UAE. It calls for a moderate yet wholistic understanding of Islam that can be practically applied to all aspects of life. 

2- How/ When was Al-Islah founded?

Al-Islah was founded in Dubai in 1974 by a decree from Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE- may he rest in peace. Al-Islah association was the second social association of its kind to be established in UAE after the Union.

3- Who are the members of Al Islah?

Al-Islah members were and are patriotic nationals who contributed to the development and prosperity of the UAE. Many of them filled leadership positions that allowed them to participate in building our great country. They were Ministers, government directors, University Professors, Public Speakers, outstanding trainers, excellent Educational and Economic expert. Al-Islah members worked tirelessly to serve the UAE, and ensure the future of our country, our society and our rulers.

4- To whom do Al Islah members pledge their allegiance?

Al-Islah since its inception has declared and confirmed that its loyalty is only to the rulers of the UAE. Al Islah was established with their blessing, and worked towards a brighter future with them alongside it. How else were Al Islah members Ministers and highly regarded senior government officials? 

 The Security Forces have been running smear campaigns in the  media through their news services and fictitious twitter accounts. This is done in an attempt to portray an alternate image of Al-Islah that will pit public opinion against it's members.

Al-Islah has repeated in countless statements that their loyalty and allegiance are to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan -UAE's Ruler- and to all rulers of the UAE's emirates. This loyalty is bound to Islam's understanding of it as giving allegiance and obedience along with providing wisdom & counsel.

5- Is Al-Islah a secret organization?

Corrupt security forces and some Emirati intellectuals have portrayed Al-Islah as a secret organization that must be feared. This is an old Egyptian security forces' ploy that hopes to intimidate Al-Islah advocates and alienate them.

There is no institution without regulation, no company without a system, and no association without a clear structure. No reform could ever be achieved without organization. So how else would else would a social association be able to effectively function? 

However, Al Islah is not, and has never been a secret organisation. It was established by a decree issued by the country's Prime Minister. It has branches in several Emirates. Each branch has a board of directors. It has a website, and registration is done online. It has organised delegations that have regularly met with the rulers of the UAE to discuss matters of social reform with them as recently as 2 years ago. How then, can Al-Islah be called a secret organisation?

6- What has Al-Islah undergone recently?

Al-Islah association that is directed by Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed Al-Qasimi, son of the ruling family in Ras-Al Khaimah, has faced a vicious onslaught by security forces. This attack aims to stop any aspect of reform that reflects public opinion or represents society's demands.

The Security Forces' attack has been supported by those banished from their own countries (such as Egypt or Tunis) in the Arab Spring due to their oppressive and underhanded methods. They have not yet learned their lesson, and are today repeating the same mistakes that have brought about their downfall in the past seemingly unaware of neither our nature not our reality in the UAE.

On the 4th of December 2011, and in a global first- seven members of Al Islah were stripped of their citizenship, passports, and any form of identification. They were then charged with being illegal aliens and in spite of their on going trial in the courts, were arrested and held in Abu Dhabi. However, they were later moved to an undisclosed location. Their whereabouts remain unknown to date.

Security forces then proceeded to arrest any activists demanding the release of the "UAE Seven" as they came to be known and activists demanding any form of political reform. In a further crackdown beginning in July 2012, Emarati Security Forces abducted and detained over 64 activists, judges, lawyers, academics, and thought leaders in order to silence any demand to release detainees and all calls for freedom of expression. To date, the detainees' whereabouts have not been disclosed.

7- How are Al-Islah detained members being treated?

The health status of many detainees is deteriorating quickly as a result of torture and solitary confinement in ineligible holding cells. They are being held in solitary confinement and in cramped cells, subjected to extreme cold, blaring lights and constant noise. News of this caused the families of the detainees to intensify their efforts, and they were finally granted visitation rights.

 Detainees are transported to the Public Prosecution Office and kept in the car for hours until it is time for their visit, after which they are handcuffed, their heads covered, and are again locked in the cars until they are transported back to their cells. Visits lasted less than 20 minutes, and were at most allowed once a month. (Visits have now been banned).

In those visits, and especially in their appearances for the monthly (closed) extension hearings, the detainees were reported as disoriented and distressed. Some told their families about the many forms of torture carried out against them. Others did not speak out, but had disturbing evidence clearly present on different parts of their body. A few were barely able to walk and a number said they had been forced to take sleeping pills. All the detainees lost frightening amounts of weight, and appeared pale and gaunt.

Most of the detainees have not been allowed legal council.

8- What are the violations against Al Islah family members ?

The Security Forces,in January 2013, summoned more than 10 women to be interrogated, threatening them with abduction and detention should they fail to show. These women were all either wives or relatives of the 64 detainees. Each interrogation took over four hours, and legal council was denied. The women were charged with attempting to overthrow the government, yet no evidence was provided. The women were then allowed bail, but their passports were seized.  

The perpetrators of these violations have also prevented more than 50 people, including human rights activists, and detainees’ families from traveling without any justification.

In another horrific twist, the bank accounts of over 100 family members of the detainees were frozen without cause by orders from the central banks. After several months of legal proceedings, the banks finally admitted their mistake and are now in the process of unfreezing the accounts.

9- What are the charges against Al Islah members?

In January 2013 it was announced that 94 detainees, including 10 women, will be charged with attempting to overthrow the government. The announcement stated that they will be tried before the Federal Supreme Court. The hearings are scheduled to begin on 4 - March -2013. The defendants became aware of those charges when they were announced in the Media. The case file was provided to the lawyers one working day before the trial. 

10- How legally sound are the proceedings against Al Islah detainees?

Many legal violations have occurred in the case that can deem it null and void including the fact that many of the detainees have exceeded their detention dates. this makes their continued imprisonment unlawful. The court is also refusing to accept any report or complaint filed against the vicious defamation campaigns  carried out in the media portraying the detainees as criminals, treasonous, and enemies of the state. 

Since the announcement, visitations have been banned. The reason is believed to be the submission of the detainees to psychological abuse, as well as physical torture.  With the court date looming ahead, this is a last resort by the Security Forces to extract forced confessions that can justify the groundless case against Al Islah detainees. Meanwhile, defamation campaigns are being carried out through official media outlets, pitting public opinion against Al Islah detainees.

Do you think this constitutes a fair trial?