During the first half of 2012, Dubai Customs inspectors at Cargo Village have foiled 121 bids to smuggle large quantities of wiccan literature, talismans and materials used for black magic, sorcery and incantation, coming into the country from Asian and African countries in shipments, goods, parcels and transit shipments going to other countries.
Mr Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej, Director of Air Customs Centres Department at Dubai Customs, mentioned that practicing sorcery and witchcraft is considered a dangerous epidemic threatening the security of the society by manipulating people’s minds and taking advantage of their needs to deceive them. Dubai Customs is committed to its CSR through foiling bids to smuggle prohibited materials into the country which forms a threat to the security and safety of the society.
He pointed out that Dubai Customs inspectors realize how dangerous materials used for sorcery and manipulation of people’s minds are, as Dubai Customs provides all kinds of training and awareness courses for them to help them recognise these materials; their different types and shapes. Smugglers often resort to innovative ways to mislead customs authorities. Inspection of goods and shipments at the Dubai Cargo Village is done by examining them and making them pass through x-ray machines. If unusual density is detected in the shipment content or suspicious signs are present, it will be inspected manually by trained inspectors to confirm its legitimacy. Information listed in the customs declaration is checked and compared to the actual goods.
Mr Lahej mentioned that ways of smuggling sorcery and incantation materials which were seized during the current year widely varied, some were concealed in letters, magazines or books and some were hidden in personal items and clothes. They also varied in their shapes and forms, such as children toys covered in dirt, blood and other unknown substances, materials made of liquids, bird feathers, cotton rolls and needles used in sorcery, threads, dark substances and a mixture of filth.
Mr Lahej indicated that materials used for sorcery, fraud and black magic are materials prohibited to enter the country proceeding to the decree of the GCC Financial & Economic Cooperation Committee in its 73d meeting that was held in Riyadh in the General Secretariat on May 2, 2007. In the meeting, lists of prohibited commodities agreed upon by GCC countries were determined, including the ones that are inconsistent with the Islamic beliefs and public decency namely materials used in sorcery and black magic.
Attempts to illegally infiltrate these prohibited materials into the country are considered customs smuggling according to the Common Customs Law, and therefore these materials are confiscated and forwarded to the respective authority to destroy them.
Moreover, practicing sorcery and black magic is a crime that impinges on Islam and is punished by the law according to the actual effect of the sorcery and black magic deeds.
Within the framework of the strategic partnership and cooperation between Dubai Customs and the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, a delegation from the Islamic Affairs Department, headed by His Eminence Dr Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, Managing Director of Fatwa Department, came to Cargo Village Customs Centre to annul the influence of seized items that are used in sorcery and black magic.
Commenting on these seizures, Dr Al Haddad said:” The work of sorcerers is still depriving people of their sleep and causes them misery. This old, yet regenerating, affliction is found in all countries. The men of Dubai Customs bear the burden of protecting this country against these harms which come in various ways to terrorise the healthy and make the sick even sicker.”
He added:” People must first have faith in Allah Almighty more than their fear of sorcerers. As part of trusting Allah is to fortify oneself with the prescribed invocations and remembrances said at certain times on a regular basis; in the mornings and evenings and when departing and arriving at the house. They are said in order to protect homes, children and wives. These invocations form a protective shield preventing the danger of sorcery before its occurrence with Allah’s help. That is the reason they were prescribed for. When these invocations are forgotten or ignored, people become easy targets for sorcerers. Respective authorities must crack down on those who are known for harming people with sorcery with an "iron fist" and make an example of them for others who follow suit. This necessitates tracking them down in and out of the country to protect people from their evil doings.”
“I was astonished by the huge quantity of seized sorcery materials, at the same time, I was filled with admiration to our loyal dedicated men at Dubai Customs who found these incantations and materials. I pray for God to keep them safe and help them achieve their tasks. God bless them, those who safeguard our ports. They are without a doubt the eye that keeps guard in the night in Allah's path whom He promised that in His willing will never be touched by the fire”. He concluded.
Dubai Customs pays a lot of attention to achieve the UAE Strategic Plan and Dubai Strategic Plan, which is connected to the realization of security, justice and safety for all citizens and expats living in the country. Dubai Customs has developed a state-of-the-art electronic system to monitor prohibited and restricted commodities and goods entering the country.