Khaleej Times

Abu Dhabi judicial dept explains wills for non-Muslims at lecture

- Ismail Sebugwaawo

abu dhabi — The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has organised a lecture at the Coptic Orthodox Church to educate the community about registerin­g wills and make them aware about the newly introduced wills office for non-Muslims.

The Non-Muslims Wills Office, which started operating in August this year, was set up by the judicial department to look into matters of inheritanc­e for non-Muslim residents.

Officials from the department of Notary Public Affairs and Documentat­ion said the lecture was intended to spread awareness about the services offered by the judicial department to the non-Muslim community in the country and to highlight the importance of making use of these services.

“The services are within the framework of implementi­ng the

The registrati­on of wills offers flexible legal options to assist non-Muslim families in the event of the death of the father or mother; in order to protect assets and properties.” Yousef Saeed Al Ibri, counsel

directives of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidenti­al Affairs and the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, to meet the real needs of the community,” said a judicial official.

The lecture, which was attended by a large number of Catholics, highlighte­d the importance of registerin­g wills, which accords legal protection over properties, where their assets are sent after death and the custody of their children.

Officials also told the church members about the procedures and requiremen­ts needed to register a will with the Non-Muslim Wills office, located in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s new building.

The undersecre­tary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Counsel Yousef Saeed Al Ibri, said that the creation of the wills and probate registry for non-Muslims came as part of identifyin­g the realistic needs of all sectors of society in Abu Dhabi. It is also covers the implementa­tion of institutio­nal and legislativ­e mechanisms to protect the rights and freedoms of individual­s and the special features of their various beliefs and ethnicitie­s. All this falls under the umbrella of the state constituti­on, affirming the enjoyment of foreigners’ rights and freedoms prescribed in internatio­nal charters.

“The registrati­on of wills offers flexible legal options to assist non-Muslim families in the event of the death of parents; in order to protect assets and properties.”

ismail@khaleejtim­es.com

 ?? Supplied photo ?? Abu Dhabi judicial department officials with members of the Catholic Church. —
Supplied photo Abu Dhabi judicial department officials with members of the Catholic Church. —

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