The Qasimia University recently hosted its second jurisprudential seminar entitled “The Role of UAE Legislation in Protecting and Sustaining Family Systems.” The event aimed to enhance the legislative and institutional protection frameworks for families while bolstering prevention, guidance, and mediation programmes.
Promoting Research and Dialogue
This seminar is part of the university’s ongoing commitment to promote specialized scientific research and to foster dialogue between Islamic jurisprudence and UAE legislation. It also highlighted the legal guarantees provided by the UAE to protect families and ensure their stability.
The Importance of Family in Islam
Dr Awad Al-Khalaf, the Director of Qasimia University, emphasised that the family in Islam is not merely a social construct, but the essential nucleus of society. It serves as the foundation upon which values, education, and stability are built. He pointed out the UAE’s unwavering commitment to supporting families through its legislation, institutions, and initiatives, which safeguard the rights of their members and strengthen familial cohesion, empowering them to face challenges.
A Holistic Approach to Family Protection
In his remarks, Dr Al-Khalaf stressed that safeguarding families and ensuring their sustainability requires a synergy between religious grounding, national legislation, and relevant institutions. This encompasses raising awareness about family rights and responsibilities, promoting early mediation and guidance, and addressing emerging issues, including the protection of digital identities for women and children. Such measures contribute to family stability and help build a cohesive society.
Exploring Family Systems in Depth
The first scientific session, titled “The Jurisprudential and Legal Foundations for Protecting and Sustaining Family Systems,” delved into the family system through the lens of Quranic objectives and the legislative foundations in the UAE aimed at family protection. The discussions also explored the integration of Islamic law with UAE legislation and the legal mechanisms designed to prevent family disintegration.
Contemporary Family Issues
The second session, “Contemporary Family Issues between Islamic Jurisprudence and UAE Legislation,” focused on current challenges such as protecting the digital identities of women and children, financial rights within families, and the roles of reconciliation and mediation in reducing marital disputes and the impacts of divorce on family stability. The session provided an in-depth examination from both legal and jurisprudential perspectives.
A Vision for a Cohesive Society
The concluding session paid tribute to the visionary approach of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and founder of Qasimia University. His commitment to family welfare, across all generations and components, exemplifies his dedication to strengthening family bonds and preserving essential values. This vision supports the family’s role in nurturing future generations and building a connected society where efforts to develop individuals and nations work in harmony.