Federal Law Concerning Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims

United Arab Emirates is a country with a diverse population coming from different backgrounds. Residents living here are coming from different continents and countries e.g. North America, South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. However, the UAE is a majority Muslim state, and its local population is Muslim, but it is ensured that minority rights and regulations are not ignored and all the residents are safe and secured in UAE.

Everyone is free to practice his or her religion in designated spaces in UAE. Recently, the religious affairs have reviewed the UAE Federal laws specifically about and around religion. There have been several federal laws for non-Muslims in UAE’s federal law, who have different houses of worship. This move shows tolerance towards other religions in the UAE, ensuring the protection of the non-Muslim residents. It also represents cultural harmony around the country. UAE also creates one dedicated ministry and federal department for tolerance and harmony.

Religious matters are sensitive, therefore, they cannot be decided without experts and expert attorneys, who are closely affiliated with the relevant religious parties. The consensus of the religious authorities is essential while making legislation for non-Muslims.

The Federal Law Concerning Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims ensures the rights of minorities in the UAE. They have access to the religious sites in the UAE without any hassle. However, the federal laws for worship houses of non-Muslims have guidelines about how respectful an individual can be towards different religions. The law also outlines the religious activities of different religions. Such kinds of laws are important in countries like the UAE, where people from different ethnicities and religions come to settle down. With this, the faith-based organizations can also work with assurance and confidence in the UAE.

If the non-Muslims want to make a worship house in the UAE, they will need approval from the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence. The Ministry that permits for the location, purpose, capacity, and people who are responsible for maintaining the worship house issue a license. However, if the license is given to non-Muslims, they will then register with the local religious authority. It is important for the authorities to manage registrations for worship sites of non-Muslims, promoting tolerance and religious harmony in the country. The complete procedure for the approval and registrations are available online.

The worship house can be owned by a non-Muslim in the UAE. However, it depends on the laws and approvals from the municipality for the management and ownership of the property. The essential point here is that the property will be only allocated for religious purposes. There are emirates where the government would give the land to build a religious site; otherwise, some emirates have private owners who can lease the property for the same purpose. This specific land related rule of different Emirates, must be checked with government entities.

Further, these religious organizations have to ensure the details of the financial records and monitor their activities that shall remain non-profit. Several Dubai based legal companies can provide legal assistance to draft and review the contracts.

The non-Muslims can have religious activities and services in the house of worship they belong to. As we said, the non-Muslims have rights to perform their religious duties with freedom. These activities may also include community events and educational programs. Importantly, these religious activities shall be conducted within a limited scope. The activities should not talk about converting Muslims to other faiths. The preaching of every religion shall be verified and authorised. Loudspeakers shall not be outdoors, but stay within the non-Muslim centers. This act does not suppress the non-Muslims, but the UAE government believes in observing public peace.

The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence governs the religious laws in the UAE, ensuring religious harmony throughout the emirates. Moreover, the Ministry supervises religious operations in collaboration with the local governments, police and diplomatic missions. Additionally, the Ministry also make regular inspections in those worship houses to see if the operations are running smoothly and there are no violations in the religious activities.

The fundraising activity can be conducted by non-Muslims in the UAE. However, activities for funds shall be transparent and legally registered. The financials shall be documented and sent to the authorities as part of the financial report for different activities. Doing activities with unauthorized funding is considered a serious offense in the UAE. The involved parties will have to pay heavy fines, or they may not be able to continue with these activities in the future.

The UAE government ensures protection for all religions across the emirates. Therefore, a specific law has been made for non-Muslims, under which they have the right to pray, celebrate, and conduct religious activities in designated places only. Under no law, any religion can discriminate against individuals or harass people. It is a punishable offense in the UAE. Whether it is defamation or hate speech, disrespect to religion is a violation of the UAE laws for religion. Talking to the professional lawyers in Dubai could be helpful in such cases, even if you are a non-Muslim in the UAE.