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Spread and use of ‘white weapons’ has declined over last three years : Sharjah Police Chief

Sharjah, 11th Aug. 2011 (WAM) -- Major General Humaid Mohammed Al Hadidi, Director General of Sharjah Police, was the VIP guest for the sixth evening at the fifth Sharjah Islamic Bank ( SIB ) Ramadan Tent, where he delivered an important community awareness seminar on the phenomenon of ‘White Weapons’ and how to prevent their spread and use.

The evening was attended by Othman Sharif Zaman, Member of SIB’s Board of Directors, and HE Mohammed Abdullah, Bank CEO, as well as a number of high ranking officers from Sharjah Police, social and security figures, SIB officials, and interested citizens. The seminar was broadcast live on Sharjah Radio, as part of the Ramadan program Khalkum Wayana.

Maj. Gen. Al Hadidi began by extending thanks to HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his wise directives and keen interest in addressing the issue of white weapons – a broad classification covering all non-firearm weapons – and for giving Sharjah Police the necessary authorisation to fight and prevent this phenomenon and other similar phenomena in the community.

He also commended the activities of the SIB Ramadan Tent and its social activities and programmes, saying that such activities and programmes help enhance communication between the public and private sectors. He also praised the Sharjah Media Corporation and its role in highlighting such community activities and supporting the efforts of Sharjah Police in providing security and safety for the entire community.

During the live radio programme, Maj. Gen. Al Hadidi defined the term ‘white weapons’ and explained how easy it is to use these weapons, especially among youth and adolescents. He pointed to the efforts exerted by Sharjah Police to curb the spread of this phenomenon, which rose sharply in 2008 but has declined steadily since then. He said that the collection and use of white weapons is particularly prevalent amongst those suffering due to difficult social and economic conditions, particularly family disintegration and lack of parent control.

According to Al Hadidi, it is the responsibility of the entire community to address the issue of white weapons and other forms of violence within society, and this requires public and private institutions, as well as civil society organisations and the media, to work together to create awareness and increase community knowledge.

He added that police are an integral part of society and interact with those across all social sectors. Sharjah Police’s community police department – which includes the community police, social support centre and rehabilitation centre – seeks to improve communication with all members of society, in coordination with various government departments and civil society institutions, through field visits and discussions, among other methods.

"Sharjah Police aims to build and strengthen our relations with community institutions, to work in partnership with them, and to appoint them as approved centres for developing a security culture within the community, helping to protect the family, reporting any crimes, raising awareness about preventing crimes, and increasing cooperation and coordination between police and the community," Maj. Gen. Al Hadidi said.

He concluded the seminar by answering questions, which focused primarily on the role of police in preventing the spread of white weapons. He advised the youth to adhere to Sharjah’s values and customs and to avoid blind imitation, saying that Sharjah Police wants to work together with the youth and is always open to speak with them.

Answering an inquiry about the Iftar cannons, which are organized by Sharjah Police during the Holy month of Ramadan, Maj. Gen. Al Hadidi said that cannons have been placed in seven areas this year: the Culture Palace Roundabout in Al Falaj, Al Sari Mosque square in Al Jurainah, Al Noor Mosque square in Al Buhairah, Al Talaa Mosque square in Al Talaa, Al Baraa bin Azeb Mosque square area in Al Mirqab, Al Badea Mosque square in Al Badea, and Al Houda Mosque square in Al Khan.

In the Eastern Region, the cannons will be opposite Al Bukhari Mosque on Khorfakkan Cornish, opposite Tarif Mosque in Kalba, and opposite Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Mosque in Dibba Al Hisn, while in the Western Region the cannon will be situated opposite Al Thaid Police Station.

He added that the Sharjah Police Media and Public Relations Department will distribute Iftar meals to people who are present at Sharjah’s Iftar cannons.

The SIB Ramadan Iftar tent has 15 activities and programmes scheduled to run on 15 evenings, including religious, media, professional, legal, entertainment and children’s activities, as well as recitations. Each evening is chaired by a renowned figure from the media, social or professional community in the UAE.

Upcoming activities include: a recitation evening, in cooperation with Sharjah Munshid; an evening focusing on social responsibility, in cooperation with Sharjah Development Forum; an evening for integration with people with special needs, in cooperation with Al Thiqah Club for the Handicapped; and an evening about charity volunteering, in cooperation with the Sharjah Charity Society, Red Crescent and the Zakat Fund. The closing ceremony of SIB’s Ramadan Tent will take place on Thursday 18 August 2011.

© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.