For to be Free is --

Before Ramadan 2019, UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the release of more than 3,000 prisoners of different nationalities serving various jail sentences so they can resume their normal lives and alleviate the suffering of the families. The leaders of other emirates did the same.

What a humanitarian gesture of saving many souls! I know that not only those freed prisoners and their families thank them and pray for them, but many others who come to know the news.

Breathing a new air with a life reboot is like being born again. Everything is renewed, and this time, with a better perspective of everything.

For those who were incarcerated, a day without the family and all lost opportunities cannot be recreated, so freedom is everything.

When free people are back to the mainstream of society, they get productive, earn money, contribute to well being of the family members and help the community and country's economic cycle grow.

Many of the prisoners are due to financial cases. They are required to issue collateral cheques and when they cannot fund it, the lending institution can file a criminal case. Fines or jail? Since they do not have the money to pay the fines, they end up inside the cell.

For debt-trapped people still outside the prison, they live like prisoners, too, as they cannot freely move. They are harassed by the collecting agency people. This has bad effects on their health and productivity at work.

Will the time come that debt-related cases will not end up in jail? It is simple. Do not borrow money and do not lend money.  But this will definitely not happen. Borrowers must pay in time, but if due to circumstances beyond control they cannot, what is next? Banks must lend money because it is how they make business. But what is the most effective way to get back the money loaned out if things go wrong with the debtors?

There is the so-called shield or insurance that can cover the account payable up to a certain amount, in case of critical illness, permanent total disability, death or involuntary unemployment.

Debt-restructuring is an option, too. The lending institution must offer long-term payment scheme, with low interest, and applications must be processed with ease (fewer requirements and fast) so it will not be difficult for the borrowers in default to choose this option for peace of mind.  Some heavily indebted people get crazy and mad because of the manner on how some collectors handle the collection -- harsh and mean.

But I think it must not stop there. The companies must be supported to grow in revenues so they can always release the salaries on time to employees as many of them have credit cards and personal loans, aside from personal and family survival needs that must be met. We know that businesses face many challenges and at certain times they cannot keep going but everybody has bills to pay.

More opportunities to earn money in terms of side business and part-time / freelance jobs, must be created so debts can be paid if they have, savings will grow, and the banks can benefit from those savings, that help finance businesses and development projects, and so on.

Hopefully, there will be long term visas also for ordinary people who want to stay here as they find living in this country more peaceful than in their own homelands. Long-term visa validity gives hope that they can stay and work here longer while settling their debts if they have and spending their money here, and possibly prosper. Why not? If they have beautiful ideas in minds, they can incubate here and experience the home-grown success that will benefit others. We know the stories of migrant business icons in other countries. They started as ordinary people and later emerge as unicorns, then they launched their pay-forward programs through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, that make lives better in their areas.

Life is beautiful when we are free, and when other people are free as well. Nelson Mandela said,

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Every single day, can we ask ourselves -- How do we live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others?

The beauty of freedom is indescribable. How can we cast off our own chains, those unseen chains? How can we help others take their lives and freedom back? Our respected leaders did in their noble roles as 'Their Highness'. Let's passionately meditate on this, on a higher level.

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Photo credits:  Pixabay