UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Al Qaradawi: What We Know About the Decision
Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al Qaradawi has been pardoned by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, just days after an Abu Dhabi court sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
The presidential pardon was issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, according to the UAE’s official news agency, WAM. The announcement came about a week after the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced Al Qaradawi to 10 years in prison and a Dh200,000 fine.
What happened to Abdul Rahman Al Qaradawi?
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal convicted Al Qaradawi on August 27, 2026. The court sentenced him to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay a Dh200,000 fine. The official announcement did not provide further details about the offences for which he was convicted.
On September 4, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed issued a presidential pardon for Al Qaradawi. The necessary procedures were taken to implement the decision.
What does the UAE presidential pardon mean?
The pardon means the court sentence will not continue to be carried out in the usual manner. The decision came directly from the UAE President.
However, the official announcement did not explain the reason behind the pardon or provide further details about what led to the decision.
Readers should therefore be careful with claims about the reason for the pardon unless they are confirmed by official sources.
What happened before the pardon?
The court issued its ruling on August 27, before the presidential pardon was announced on September 4. Al Qaradawi had been sentenced to 10 years in prison along with the Dh200,000 fine.
The short period between the court sentence and the presidential pardon has brought attention to the case.
The confirmed development is that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has issued a presidential pardon for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al Qaradawi and that the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the decision.
