Top UAE lawyer Habib Al Mulla quits after Twitter controversy over homosexuality comments

Prominent UAE lawyer Habib Al Mulla has quit from partner law firm Baker MacKenzie after making controversial Twitter remarks on homosexuality. In his Twitter post last Tuesday, Al Mulla suggested in Arabic that homosexuality is “evil”, describing it as “problematic”, "not only in the ugliness of the act, but in the necessity of atheism by its nature". The Emirati lawyer said that an individual who “ perversion in secret” is committing an “evil act” and “disobeying the Creator”. Al Mulla has 61,000 followers on Twitter. He is the head of Habib Al Mulla & Partners, a member firm of Baker McKenzie International via the huge law firm's Swiss verein structure. His Baker McKenzie profile refers to him as one of the UAE's "most highly respected legal authorities" and a "strong advocate for improvement and modernisation of UAE laws". Baker McKenzie, in a statement, confirmed it is “parting ways” with Al Mulla. “The separation process is underway, and we remain committed to supporting both clients and employees in the UAE and the wider region,” according to the law firm. “Baker McKenzie strongly believes that however much we may disagree with the beliefs and personal views of others, we must find ways to disagree respectfully, encourage inclusive dialogue and to ensure an inclusive work environment for all. Any social media comments by Dr. Habib represent his own views and not those of the Firm,” it added. The UAE is positioning itself as the global capital for tolerance, with the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan declaring the year 2019 as the Year of Tolerance to instill the values of co-existence and peace. In January this year, the UAE enforced a major overhaul of the country’s personal laws, allowing unmarried couples to co-habitate, loosening alcohol restrictions and broadening personal freedoms. Following the controversy, the  Al Mulla said: “I would like to thank everyone who has shown their support for me and my stance on homosexuality. Your support means a lot. I apologize if I inadvertently missed to reply to any of you”. “My personal opinions, which I shared, represent my beliefs and convictions that stem from my religion and core values. I’m very proud of it and will not apologize over my comments. Although we are a tolerant society and welcome individuals who think differently than we do, we reject any ideas or beliefs that are imposed on us or that go against our Islamic ideals.” “Although we did break ways with Baker McKenzie, we will continue to operate as an independent firm and provide our clients with the same level of service they have come to expect. However, out of respect for the friendship, I will keep quiet and avoid commenting on Baker McKenzie. We will begin the separation and exit negotiations next week,”  Al Mulla tweeted. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: 11 big changes to UAE laws
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube pageJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyJTJGJTJGcGFnZWFkMi5nb29nbGVzeW5kaWNhdGlvbi5jb20lMkZwYWdlYWQlMkZqcyUyRmFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlLmpzJTIyJTIwYXN5bmMlM0QlMjIlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElMjAlM0MlMjEtLSUyMGluLWFydGljbGUlMjBhZCUyMC0tJTNFJTBBJTIwJTNDaW5zJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJhZHNieWdvb2dsZSUyMiUyMHN0eWxlJTNEJTIyZGlzcGxheSUzQSUyMGJsb2NrJTNCJTIyJTIwZGF0YS1hZC1jbGllbnQlM0QlMjJjYS1wdWItNTAwNjI0MTU4MzU4MTg0OSUyMiUyMGRhdGEtYWQtc2xvdCUzRCUyMjg1MjYwOTM2MTElMjIlMjBkYXRhLWFkLWZvcm1hdCUzRCUyMmF1dG8lMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpbnMlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlM0UlMkYlMkYlMjAlM0MlMjElNUJDREFUQSU1QiUwQSUyOGFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlJTIwJTNEJTIwd2luZG93LmFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlJTIwJTdDJTdDJTIwJTVCJTVEJTI5LnB1c2glMjglN0IlN0QlMjklM0IlMEElMkYlMkYlMjAlNUQlNUQlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEE=