Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, decreed that non-Muslims (citizens and foreign nationals) will now be allowed to marry and have their marriages recognized in the Emirates.
The Crown Prince made the announcement through the Emirates State News Agency, saying, “the decision, which is the first of its kind in the world, will enhance the Emirate’s position and global competitiveness as one of the most attractive destinations for talent and skills.”
The Judicial Department of UAE has been working according to the inspiration of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), to provide innovative solutions to non-Muslims’ personal status issues that are brought before the courts, after studying and analysing them.
The judiciary will establish a new court that will be solely dedicated to non-muslim family matters. All court proceedings will be conducted in both Arabic and English. The court will also address divorce, joint custody of children, and inheritance for non-Muslims.
