Limits of UAE tolerance tested as tight security marks start of Al-Islah trial

The trial of 94 members of Jamiat Al-Islah wa Tawjih (Association for Reform and Guidance) opened in Abu Dhabi’s Federal Supreme Court on 4 March, under unprecedented security. Restrictions on access to the court were the latest manifestation of the authorities’ tightening grip on opinion in the federation, and the leadership’s hostility – some might say paranoia – towards groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood (Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimeen).