Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has eased visitation rules for divorced fathers, allowing them to spend time with their children outside supervised centres when no safety risks exist.
Sharjah: In a landmark step to strengthen family ties and prioritize the welfare of children, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed significant changes to how visitation rights for divorced fathers are managed in the emirate.
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The reform was sparked during Sheikh Sultan’s appearance on his weekly call-in programme, Al Khat Al Mubasher (The Direct Line), broadcast live on Sharjah Radio and Television.
During the show, a father—introduced as Abu Hamdan—spoke emotionally about his struggles following divorce. He described how existing rules only allowed him to meet his children inside a supervised room at the Social Services Department. The father said it felt as though he was serving a punishment rather than experiencing quality time with his children. He appealed to the Ruler for more compassionate arrangements that would allow him to take his children out and create meaningful memories with them.
Moved by the father’s words, Sheikh Sultan instructed Sharjah’s judicial authorities to introduce greater flexibility into the visitation process. Under his new directive, family court judges will now have broader discretion to allow non-custodial fathers to take their children outside designated centres for visits—whether for family outings, trips, or other activities—so long as there is no history of violence or abuse.
“The welfare of children must always come first,” Sheikh Sultan said, stressing that children deserve to maintain a natural bond with both parents. He further emphasized that fathers should be able to meet their children “free from pressures,” and in settings that nurture affection rather than impose restrictions.
Traditionally, visitation arrangements in Sharjah and across the UAE have often been limited to supervised facilities, especially in cases of dispute between parents. While designed to protect children, such arrangements could also cause emotional strain for both the parent and the child.
By empowering judges to tailor visitation based on the specific circumstances of each family, the new policy seeks to create a more balanced and humane approach. Judges will still retain the authority to enforce restrictions in cases where there are safety concerns, but in the absence of such risks, fathers will now have the chance to interact with their children in normal social settings.
This development fits within the wider framework of the UAE’s personal status laws, which govern family matters such as custody, guardianship, and visitation rights. In most cases, custody of children is granted to mothers, while fathers maintain guardianship and financial responsibility.
Visitation rights, however, have sometimes been a source of dispute. The new adjustment in Sharjah reflects a broader national trend of modernising family law to ensure the child’s best interests remain central. Recent federal reforms have already expanded the scope of shared custody and encouraged more flexible visitation arrangements, reinforcing the importance of both parents’ roles in a child’s upbringing.
Family specialists and community members have noted several potential benefits from this directive:
This decision by Sheikh Sultan may serve as a model for other emirates in the UAE. With family law reforms already underway nationwide, Sharjah’s approach highlights the importance of listening directly to citizens’ concerns and adapting regulations accordingly.
It also underscores the compassionate leadership style of Sheikh Sultan, who has frequently used his radio programme to engage directly with residents and respond to their challenges in real time.
Judges in Sharjah are expected to begin applying this new guidance immediately, with fathers seeking visitation rights now able to petition the courts for more flexible arrangements. Over time, as more families benefit from the updated approach, the long-term impact on children’s wellbeing and family harmony will become clearer.
Legal experts anticipate that this directive will not only improve the lives of divorced fathers and their children but also reduce disputes in family courts by offering more humane solutions.
