Abu Dhabi, March 26 (IANS) Kholoud Ahmed Juwan Al Dhahiri has been appointed a primary judge at the Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department following a decree by United Arab Emirates (UAE) President and Abu Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, becoming the first female judge in this Gulf nation. Sheikh Khalifa’s decree is part of the comprehensive development witnessed by the judiciary department and underlines the government’s commitment to engage women in the emirate’s overall development, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

There have been major changes as far as the judiciary in Abu Dhabi is concerned due to the initiatives taken by the president and close follow-ups by Abu Dhabi Crown prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and directives by Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Judiciary Department in Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the report said.