Published On 9/9/2026
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آخر تحديث: 18:22 (توقيت مكة)
In his first public appearance following his release from detention in the United Arab Emirates, poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi expressed deep gratitude to Turkey and its President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as to all those who played a role in resolving his “detention” crisis. Speaking through a statement published on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Al-Qaradawi highlighted Erdoğan’s consistent commitment to historical correctness and acknowledged his efforts in addressing the situation from its inception.
Al-Qaradawi conveyed his appreciation to various institutions in Turkey, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies, for their substantial contributions in bringing about this resolution. He also expressed heartfelt thanks to the Al-Qaradawi family for their unwavering support throughout his formidable journey, which has stretched over more than twenty-five years.
In his statement, Al-Qaradawi reaffirmed three key points: his convictions and principles remain unchanged, he did not suffer any physical or verbal abuse during his detainment, and he thanked the UAE and its President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the “wise and just” decision to grant him a presidential pardon. This pardon came after he was sentenced to ten years in prison and fined 200,000 dirhams by the Federal Supreme Court of Abu Dhabi for cybercrime charges on 27 August.
UAE Presidential Pardon
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed issued this pardon shortly after Al-Qaradawi’s conviction became public, paving the way for his release. Following his potential jail term, Al-Qaradawi had been detained since his arrest upon arriving in Lebanon from Syria on 29 December 2024. He was subsequently handed over to Emirati authorities in January 2025.
Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi not only called for leaders worldwide to follow the UAE’s example in showing clemency toward their adversaries but also urged them to prevent personal disputes from lasting decades and avoid extending prison sentences unnecessarily. He also took the opportunity to commemorate the centenary of his father, the late Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, encouraging the public to engage with his writings and teachings on moderation.
He indicated that he may be absent from public life for an extended period, presumably to reflect upon his experiences and the challenges ahead.