Draft:Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi
| Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi | |
|---|---|
| File:Kayed al-Qasimi.jpg | |
| Name | Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi |
| Other Names | Dr. Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth Place | |
| Brith Date | 23 March 1958 |
| Religion | Islam |
Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi is the founder and one of the leaders of the Al-Islah Society in the United Arab Emirates, which is known as the branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in this country.
Biography
Dr. Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi was born on 23 March 1958 in the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates. He grew up in an authentic family from the Al-Qasimi dynasty, who are the rulers of Ras al-Khaimah. This family has a long history of leadership in the region. Dr. Sultan was raised in this family with a high social status from childhood, and for this reason, he possesses a strong cultural, national, and religious background. He was interested in religiosity and public affairs from a young age and engaged in social and religious activities at an early age, benefiting from the conservative environment of his family and the authentic values instilled in him. This special upbringing provided a solid foundation for his active role in the future of his country, whether in the scientific, social, or reformist fields.
Education
Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi emphasized learning and specialization, and for this reason, he became one of the prominent figures in the field of education and educational policies in the UAE. He began his studies by obtaining a bachelor's degree in Educational Management from the United Arab Emirates University in 1981. Then, in order to continue his studies in this field, he was sent to the United States and in 1990 received his master's degree in Curriculum Planning and Human Development from George Washington University with excellent grades. He continued his studies in the United Kingdom and in 1997 received his PhD in Educational Policy and National Development from the University of Manchester. This academic background demonstrates Sultan's interest in the development of the education sector and human resources, and allowed him to establish a connection between field experience and theoretical foundations in the field of education.
Scientific and Professional Achievements
He is one of the pioneers of education in the UAE. Immediately after graduation in 1981, he joined the Ministry of Education and was appointed as the Director of the Programs and Textbooks Department, remaining in this position until 1987. During this tenure, he supervised the review and evaluation of dozens of programs, textbooks, and teacher guides, and contributed to the development of educational content based on national identity, Islamic values, and the needs of the time. He also participated in holding educational and managerial training courses inside and outside the UAE, which demonstrated his desire to exchange experiences and improve the efficiency of teachers and managers. Alongside these measures, he was also active in scientific research and wrote a collection of articles and educational research on national education development issues. He participated in many scientific-specialized committees inside and outside during the 1980s and was a member and head of several important educational institutions; including:
- Chairmanship of the Technical Committee for Curricula, which supervises the planning and implementation of curricula;
- Membership in the Higher Committee for Curricula;
- Higher Education Committee in the Ministry of Education;
- Chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the Arab Center for Educational Research (based in Kuwait);
- Participated in more than 30 regional and international scientific conferences and seminars under the supervision of organizations such as the Arab Bureau of Education for the Persian Gulf States, the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALESCO), and the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO).
His Role in the Association of Reform
Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi's name is associated with the Association of Reform and Social Guidance in the UAE, where he is counted among its prominent figures and leaders. This association, which was established in Dubai in 1974 with the approval of the UAE rulers, aimed to strengthen Islamic and social values and reforms and to preserve ethics and values within UAE society. Sultan joined this association in his youth and was connected with it since his time as a high school student. Through this association, he participated in scientific circles and seminars and met with prominent scholars and thinkers from various parts of the Islamic world, which significantly contributed to shaping and expanding his intellectual horizons and influenced him to adopt an approach of moderation and centrism.
His leadership role in the association was solidified when, with the approval of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ras Al Khaimah branch of the Association of Reform and Social Guidance was opened and Sultan was appointed as its president. Through this leadership position, he played a pivotal role in directing the association's activities towards serving the community in various fields, as the Reform Association was known for its social, charitable, and cultural contributions. For instance, the association undertook initiatives to encourage and facilitate marriage among the youth and established free wedding halls to assist low-income families, aiming to help reduce the phenomenon of delayed marriage. Additionally, under the leadership of Dr. Sultan, the association participated in campaigns supporting the causes of Arab and Islamic nations and organized solidarity and humanitarian activities, which further strengthened its presence on the domestic social scene. These activities introduced him as a reformist symbol in the UAE, particularly since the association's activities commenced within a legal framework and with official support, granting it considerable credibility among various segments of society before it faced restrictions.
Details of Arrests and Charges
Despite Sultan bin Kayed Al Qasimi's educational and social contributions, his reformist activities placed him at odds with the authorities, particularly in the political climate that emerged following the events of the "Islamic Awakening (Arab Spring)". Sultan was charged with political and security offenses and arrested.
"UAE 94" Case
The roots of the UAE 94 case date back to events that began in early 2011, when Sultan, along with dozens of Emirati elites and academics, signed a petition on March 3, 2011; this petition called for the development of the democratic experience in the country by activating the role of the Federal National Council (parliament) through the election of all its members by the people and expanding its powers. These requests caused concern among the authorities, and security agencies proceeded to arrest a number of signatories and revoke the citizenship of some of them, which was regarded as a warning to others.
In these tense circumstances, Dr. Sultan continued to express his views freely and responsibly. He published a famous article titled For the Dignity of the Citizen, in which he criticized the decision to revoke the citizenship of a group of Emirati activists in late 2011, considering this action a threat to the social contract in the country and a violation of the dignity and fundamental rights of citizens. In this article, he emphasized adherence to the rule of law and justice and warned against discrimination between citizens or the violation of their rights. This public article, with the political and social criticisms raised therein, directly led to him being targeted by security authorities.
On April 20, 2012, Sultan bin Kayed Al Qasimi was arrested by plainclothes security forces who raided his home in Ras Al Khaimah. He was quickly transferred to an unknown location, and it was revealed that he had been placed under house arrest for several months in the palace of one of his relatives (the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi). Then, in early March 2013, he was transferred from house arrest to Al Razeen Prison, which is a high-security prison in Abu Dhabi, known for holding political prisoners and security cases.
A group trial began on March 4, 2013, at the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court, which included Sheikh Sultan and 93 others from various regions of the country, most of whom were affiliated with Al Islah Society or were human rights activists. Charges were brought against them such as "establishing and leading an illegal secret organization aimed at confronting the principles upon which the state was founded and ultimately seizing power, as well as communicating with foreign entities to support this plan". During this trial, which lasted several months, international media and independent observers were barred from attending the sessions.
On July 2, 2013, the Federal Supreme Court issued its final verdict in this case, and the severity of the sentences drew attention. 69 individuals (out of 94) were convicted of the charged offenses, including Sultan, while 25 individuals (including 13 women) were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The court sentenced 56 defendants (among whom was Sultan) to 10 years in prison, also 5 defendants were sentenced to 7 years in prison, and 8 defendants who were abroad were sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison. Given that the verdicts of the Federal Supreme Court are final and non-appealable in national security cases, Sultan Al Qasimi's 10-year prison sentence was enforced from that time. Al Qasimi went to prison for ten years (2012–2022). It was expected that he would be released in spring 2022 (with the completion of the 10-year sentence term and counting the prior detention period), especially with numerous domestic and foreign requests, but this did not materialize.
"Justice and Dignity" Case
As the end of the sentence terms issued in the "UAE 94" case approached, the human rights community awaited the release of the remaining prisoners, especially Sultan Al Qasimi. However, Emirati authorities surprised everyone with a new and escalating measure; in late 2023, they announced new charges against a number of these prisoners. This affair is known as the "Justice and Dignity Organization Case" or "UAE 84", as it included 84 defendants.
Details of this new case were revealed in December 2023. On January 6, 2024, an official statement was released by the UAE Public Prosecution in which charges were brought against 84 individuals for establishing and managing a secret terrorist organization within the country named the "Justice and Dignity Committee". According to the official narrative, this alleged organization is a continuation of the Al-Islah Society, linked to the Muslim Brotherhood organization, which is designated as a terrorist organization in the UAE, and its aim is to continue activities to weaken the ruling system through new methods under various guises. The prosecution also claimed that among the charges were financing the terrorist organization and exploiting the time some of them spent in prison for sabotage planning.
Intellectual and Political Stances
Sultan bin Ka'id Al Qasimi is an individual with reformist thoughts who seeks to balance Islamic perspectives and modern democratic values. His intellectual stances were manifested in articles, speeches, and public engagements prior to his arrest, where he consistently advocated for a peaceful political and social reform approach in the UAE. Sultan believed that maintaining the country's long-term prosperity and stability required citizen participation in decision-making and strengthening civil society institutions. Thus, he was one of the first individuals to call for expanding the margin of political participation within existing legal frameworks, rather than revolution or exiting the system. In his articles, he emphasized the values of justice and citizen dignity, and the centrality of the rule of law. In his renowned article For Citizen Dignity, he cited the Quranic verse "إن أريد إلا الإصلاح ما استطعت" to emphasize that his goal was reform within the limits of ability and within the framework of loyalty to his homeland.
See Also
References
- Sultan bin Ka'id Al Qasimi, UAE Prisoners Support Center website, Publication date: n.d., Access date: April 26, 2025.