The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has honoured Islamic scholar Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliar with the Golden Visa for his humanitarian activities.
Kanthapuram, who is the Grand Mufti of India, received the visa at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Dubai Residence and Immigration Department on Wednesday.
He is also the chancellor of Jamia Markaz and chairman of the Siraj Daily. Kanthapuram has been delivering lectures in multiple languages, including Arabic, for the last fifty years in different parts of the world.
Accepting the Golden Visa, Kanthapuram expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Golden Visa enables foreigners to live, work and study in the UAE without the need of a national sponsor. These visas will be issued for 5 or 10 years and will be renewed automatically.