Al Qasimia University examines the legal foundations protecting the UAE family

A significant symposium in Sharjah brings together Islamic jurisprudence and national legislation to explore how the Emirates safeguards family stability in an evolving world

The family, understood in Islamic tradition as far more than a domestic arrangement, forms the essential nucleus from which society derives its values, its continuity and its moral character. This premise shaped the second jurisprudence symposium at Al Qasimia University in Sharjah, where scholars and legal experts gathered to examine how the United Arab Emirates has woven together Islamic principles and contemporary legislation to protect and sustain family life.

The symposium, organised by the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies under the theme “The Role of UAE Legislation in Protecting and Sustaining the Family”, drew together academic voices to consider how the nation’s legal frameworks address both timeless family concerns and the novel challenges that emerge in an increasingly digital world. The discussions traversed the theological and jurisprudential foundations of family protection, explored the relationship between Islamic law and UAE legislation, and examined mechanisms for preventing family breakdown through early intervention and mediation.

In his opening remarks, Professor Awad Al Khalaf, Chancellor of Al Qasimia University, articulated the university’s conviction that protecting families requires a coordinated effort spanning Islamic legal principles, national institutions and legislative provision. He emphasised that the UAE has long demonstrated this commitment through robust laws and dedicated institutions designed to protect the rights of family members, foster household unity and help families navigate contemporary difficulties. Among the emerging concerns requiring attention, he noted the protection of women’s and children’s digital identities, a reflection of how traditional family safeguards must evolve to address modern vulnerabilities.

The symposium’s academic programme encompassed two principal sessions. The first examined Islamic and legal foundations for family protection, exploring Quranic objectives and the legislative foundations established by UAE law. The second addressed contemporary family issues, investigating the protection of digital identities, the financial rights of families, the role of reconciliation and mediation in reducing marital conflict, and the implications of divorce for family stability from both Islamic jurisprudential and legal perspectives.

The proceedings concluded with a formal statement that recognised His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as founder of the university and custodian of a vision that prioritises family cohesion and stability. The statement affirmed that protecting families constitutes a religious, legal and moral responsibility intrinsically linked to society’s sustainability and to the sense of national belonging that binds the Emirates together.

Among its key findings, the symposium identified prevention and early counselling as essential to resolving family disputes before conflict escalates. Participants called for heightened awareness, strengthened communication and parenting skills, and encouragement for families to seek specialist support at appropriate moments. The symposium also commended the UAE’s complementary legislative frameworks, including personal status provisions, child rights protections and laws to prevent domestic violence.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The symposium’s recommendations carry significance for Abu Dhabi as part of a broader national effort to strengthen the social fabric through coordinated legal and institutional frameworks. The emphasis on early counselling and family mediation reflects a preventive approach to protecting families that extends across the Emirates, benefiting households seeking to navigate modern challenges while preserving stability and cohesion.

The particular attention to digital identity protection for women and children addresses an evolving concern that touches every emirate. As the nation continues to advance economically and technologically, the legal and social safeguards examined during this symposium demonstrate how the UAE integrates Islamic jurisprudence with contemporary legislation to meet the needs of families in the twenty-first century, ensuring that traditional values and institutional protections evolve in concert with changing circumstances.

Source: UAE News Agency (WAM)