Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: 4 of 2018
- Issued Date: 25 Apr 2018
- Effective Date: 01 May 2018
- Official Gazette: No. 629
- Sector: Faith and Religion Affairs
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 47
- Chapters: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law regulates the organization and care of mosques in the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the responsibilities of the Competent Authority, which is the local body or authority concerned with mosque affairs, in supervising and maintaining mosques, public prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms. The law also sets out requirements for licensing, security, personnel, and prohibited activities within these religious spaces. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 1-22) The law is significant for businesses, individuals, and religious organizations in the UAE as it provides a comprehensive legal framework governing the establishment, operation, and management of mosques and related facilities. It ensures standardization and oversight of mosque-related activities to preserve the sanctity and security of these important religious institutions. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 1-22)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The provisions of this Federal Law apply to mosques, public prayer rooms, private prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms throughout the UAE. The law's purpose is to regulate the affairs of these religious facilities and ensure their proper organization and care. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- The State or UAE: The United Arab Emirates
- The Authority: The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments
- The Competent Authority: The local body or authority concerned with mosque affairs
- The Chairman: The Chairman of the Competent Authority
- The Mosque: A place designated for prayer, including the mosque's yards, entrances, appurtenances, and facilities
- Public Prayer Room: A place designated for prayer in private and public establishments
- Private Prayer Room: A place designated for prayer in private and public establishments if it is not open to all Muslims
- Eid Prayer Room: A place designated for Eid prayers
- Mosque Staff: Any person who performs an occupation approved and licensed by the Competent Authority in a mosque or prayer room
(Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. The Competent Authority must supervise, regulate, and care for mosques, public prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms, including meeting their needs, determining prayer times, organizing religious events, and setting opening/closing times. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 4) 2. Building, modifying, or maintaining mosques or Eid prayer rooms requires a permit from the Competent Authority. Public prayer room donors must provide for the needs of those prayer rooms. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 5) 3. The Competent Authority must ensure the safety and security of mosques, prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 6) 4. Mosque personnel must implement the Competent Authority's instructions regarding sermons, preaching materials, and wear the required uniform. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 12)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law requires the following licensing and registration: 1. Building, modifying, or maintaining mosques, Eid prayer rooms, and public prayer rooms requires a permit from the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 5) 2. Certain activities in mosques, public prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms, such as giving lessons, raising funds, or organizing events, require a license from the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 8) 3. The title deeds of mosques must be registered with the concerned real estate bodies in the name of the Competent Authority, or in the name of a federal/local government entity in coordination with the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 7)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or entities. It is focused on regulating the organization and care of mosques, prayer rooms, and related facilities under the supervision of the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcement under this law are: 1. The Competent Authority: The local body or authority concerned with mosque affairs, which is responsible for supervising, regulating, and caring for mosques, prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 4) 2. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments: The federal authority that proposes regulations for the human and financial resources of mosque staff. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 11) 3. The Cabinet: Issues the executive regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this law. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 20) 4. The Minister of Justice: Designates staff with the capacity of judicial police officers to detect violations of this law. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 17)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law prescribes the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Breach of Article 8 (unauthorized activities) and Article 9, Items 1 and 2 (beggary, interference with Azaan or sermons): Imprisonment for up to 3 months and/or a fine of up to AED 5,000. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 15) 2. Breach of Article 9, Item 3 (activities against the safety and sanctity of mosques): Imprisonment for up to 3 months and a fine of between AED 20,000 and AED 50,000. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 16)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not specify any exemptions or exceptions to its provisions. It applies broadly to all mosques, public prayer rooms, private prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms in the UAE. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 2)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not outline any specific dispute resolution mechanisms. It is focused on the regulatory and enforcement aspects of organizing and caring for mosques and related facilities. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. The Competent Authority must regularize the status of mosques, public prayer rooms, and Eid prayer rooms built before this law came into force, within 1 year from the effective date. This period may be renewed by a Cabinet resolution. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 18) 2. The Cabinet must issue the executive regulations necessary to implement this law within 6 months of the law's effective date. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 20)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Federal Law references and interacts with the following other UAE legislation: 1. Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 on the Competences of Ministries and Powers of Ministers (as amended) 2. Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 promulgating the Penal Code (as amended) 3. Law No. 35 of 1992 promulgating the Criminal Procedure Code (as amended) 4. Federal Law No. 7 of 1999 on Pensions and Social Security (as amended) 5. Federal Law No. 29 of 1999 establishing the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (as amended) 6. Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2008 on Human Resources in the Federal Government (as amended) (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques came into effect on 1 May 2018, the day following its publication in the Official Gazette No. 629. (Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques, 2018, Art. 22)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques 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.