Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: No. (82) of 2024
- Issued Date: 08 Jul 2024
- Effective Date: 01 Aug 2024
- Official Gazette: No. 780
- Sector: Faith and Religion Affairs
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 33
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution establishes the executive regulation for Federal Law No. (9) of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims. The law regulates the licensing, establishment, and operation of houses of worship for non-Muslim faiths in the UAE. It sets out the conditions, procedures, and requirements for obtaining a license to operate a house of worship, as well as the obligations and restrictions placed on licensed houses of worship. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 1-15) The law is significant for non-Muslim religious communities in the UAE, as it provides a clear legal framework for establishing and managing places of worship. It aims to facilitate the practice of diverse faiths while maintaining oversight and control by the UAE authorities. Businesses and individuals involved in the operation of houses of worship must comply with the law's provisions to avoid penalties. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 1-15)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law regulates the licensing, establishment, and operation of houses of worship for non-Muslim faiths in the UAE. It applies to any individual or entity seeking to establish, manage, or operate a house of worship for a non-Muslim religion, sect, or belief. The law's purpose is to facilitate the practice of diverse faiths while maintaining oversight and control by the UAE authorities. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 1-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- Law: Federal Law No. (9) of 2023 concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims
- Parent House of Worship: The main house of worship outside the State specified by the committee, which serves as the religious reference for the religion, sect, or belief
- Geographical Scope of the House of Worship: The geographical area in which the house of worship is desired to be licensed
- Temporary Committee: The committee selected from among the founding members of the house of worship, responsible for submitting and following up the license application
(Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations and requirements: 1. Establishing a register at the competent authority to record all licensed houses and rooms of worship, including their details and information. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 2) 2. Complying with specific conditions, controls, and procedures for the allocation of rooms of worship at airports. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 3) 3. Obtaining a preliminary approval from the competent authority before fulfilling the licensing requirements. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 4) 4. Fulfilling the licensing requirements, including obtaining approvals from relevant authorities, providing ownership documents, and submitting financial and membership information. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 5) 5. Maintaining bank accounts, registers, and books in accordance with the law's provisions. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 8-9)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law outlines the following licensing requirements and procedures: 1. The temporary committee must submit a license application to the competent authority, which will issue a decision on preliminary approval within 60 days. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 4) 2. Within 6 months of the preliminary approval, the temporary committee must fulfill various requirements, including obtaining approvals from relevant authorities, providing ownership documents, and submitting financial and membership information. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 5) 3. The competent authority will review the license application within 60 days of the temporary committee fulfilling the requirements and issue a final decision on approving or rejecting the license. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 6) 4. The license for a house of worship is valid for a maximum of 2 years and can be renewed in accordance with the law's provisions. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 7)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly mention any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or entities under its provisions. The focus of the law is on the licensing, establishment, and operation of houses of worship for non-Muslim faiths, rather than on outlining individual rights or protections. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The law establishes the following authorities and bodies responsible for the enforcement and administration of its provisions: 1. The competent authority, which is responsible for issuing decisions on license applications, allocating rooms of worship, and overseeing the operation of licensed houses of worship. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 2-7) 2. The temporary committee, which is selected from among the founding members of the house of worship and is responsible for submitting and following up the license application. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 1) 3. The airport management, which is responsible for coordinating with the competent authority and ensuring the safety, health, and security measures for allocated rooms of worship. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 3)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. It focuses on the licensing, establishment, and operation of houses of worship, without outlining any penalty provisions. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or financial provisions related to the licensing or operation of houses of worship. It only requires the temporary committee to submit a copy of the draft budget for the costs of construction and operation of the house of worship and the financial resources necessary for it. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 5)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not mention any exemptions or exceptions to its provisions. It applies to all individuals and entities seeking to establish, manage, or operate a house of worship for a non-Muslim religion, sect, or belief in the UAE. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures. It does not outline how disputes related to the licensing, establishment, or operation of houses of worship would be resolved. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law outlines the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. The competent authority must issue a decision on the preliminary approval or rejection of a license application within 60 days from the date of submission. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 4) 2. The temporary committee must fulfill the licensing requirements within 6 months from the date of the preliminary approval. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 5) 3. The competent authority must review the license application and issue a decision within 60 days from the date the temporary committee has fulfilled all the requirements. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 6) 4. The license for a house of worship is valid for a maximum of 2 years and can be renewed. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 7)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Cabinet Resolution is the executive regulation for Federal Law No. (9) of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims. It provides the detailed rules and procedures for implementing the provisions of the Federal Law. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Art. 1) The law also references the following related legislation: - The Constitution of the UAE - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972, Concerning the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims was issued on 08 Jul 2024 and came into effect on 01 Aug 2024. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2024, Issued Date and Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.