Muscat- As many as 1,035 debtors were released as part of the Fak Kurbah initiative this year, according to Omani Lawyers Association (OLA). The initiative helps raise funds to pay off debts of people serving sentences in insolvency cases.

Dr Mohammed Ibrahim al Zadjali, president, OLA, said, “Fak Kurbah has proved over the past years that our society is conscientious and thrives by sharing and giving.”

“We, at Fak Kurbah, highly appreciate every effort that has been exerted in order to achieve the initiative’s goals in helping the insolvents who had been imprisoned as a result of financial difficulties resulting from circumstances not in their hands. We have been keen over the past years to extend our hand to them by the help of generous institutions and individuals,” said Zadjali.

Zadjali added that the initiative has been able get the release of 3,934 prisoners or those who are about to be imprisoned during the past eight years. “In the current ninth edition, we were able to get 1,035 prisoners released, bringing the total to 4,969 cases.”

Muscat governorate recorded the highest number of released prisoners (209), followed by North Batinah (194), South Sharqiyah (148), South Batinah (117), Buraimi (98), Dakhiliyah (78), Dhofar (72), Dhahirah (57), Musandam (9) and Al Wusta with four 4 cases.

The ninth edition was special because of the wide participation, and the launch of a dedicated website (fakkrba.om), through which donors were able to donate and see the those getting released, a step that largely boosted the donations, said Zadjali.

“We have been able to reach unprecedented numbers, reflecting the solidarity of our generous society. We ask Allah Almighty to accept their good deeds and provide us with His help to move forward with this important humanitarian initiative.”