190 more loan defaulters in Oman to be released from prison

Muscat: Some 190 people will be released from jail before the Eid Al Fitr holiday, thanks to the “Fak Kurbah” initiative launched by the Oman Lawyers’ Association.
It was a Bank Muscat initiative, the flagship financial services provider, to secure the release of citizens and residents serving a prison sentence for failure to clear financial debts. None of these cases relate to payments involving banks or financing firms.
In total, 273 loan defaulters have been released so far since the initiative’s launch on May 12 for this year. Last week, 53 more people were released from jail in several wilayats of Oman, thanks to the Fak Kurbah programme. On May 19, a good Samaritan who declined to be identified, helped pay for the release of 30 persons in the Dhahirah governorate courts.
“The generous gesture by the bank will result in the release of imprisoned citizens from different regions in the Sultanate, facilitating a reunion with their families and dear ones during the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr.
Bank Muscat presented a cheque to the Oman Lawyers’ Association to resolve 190 cases of citizens currently serving a prison term or with arrest warrants issued against them,” the bank said in a statement.
Abdul Razak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, said: “Bank Muscat, as part of its commitment towards social responsibility, is proud to support the unique ‘Fak Kurbah’ initiative by the Oman Lawyers’ Association. We commend the humanitarian gesture of the legal fraternity in Oman. The bank’s association with the initiative reiterates its commitment to extending a helping hand to deserving beneficiaries, thereby supporting them to lead normal lives.
“We are gratified to partner with the Lawyers’ Association and secure the release of 190 citizens to facilitate a joyous Eid Al Fitr reunion and celebration with their families and dear ones. Bank Muscat always leads by example in sustainable social development initiatives and we encourage all corporates to offer strong support to such initiatives to spread happiness and joy in the lives of people facing hardships.”
The campaign, dubbed Fak Kurbah (Redeeming Anguish), was launched by the Oman Lawyers’ Association in 2012 and has been embraced by both Omanis and expats.
Mohammad Al Zadjali, head of Oman Lawyers’ Association and the Legislative and Legal Committee at Oman’s Shura Council, told the Times of Oman last week that 53 more loan defaulters were released, including 22 in Sohar, 16 in Nizwa and 15 in Qabil on Thursday, due to donations from companies and individuals.
“People come in droves to help this noble cause. It’s a good feeling,” he said.
Al Zadjali expects more than 500 prisoners to benefit from the campaign. This year, Fak Kurbah’s fundraising will be organised during three campaigns in the Governorates of Muscat, Sohar, and Dhofar.
Donations can also be made to a bank account connected to the programme.
The programme helps raise funds to pay off debts in insolvency cases in which people have been jailed. Now in its fifth year, the initiative kicked off last week with the release of a prisoner in Shinas, following the donation of OMR5,000 by women living in Dhofar.