Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: 9 of 2023
- Issued Date: 31 May 2023
- Effective Date: 31 Dec 2023
- Official Gazette: No. 752
- Sector: Faith and Religion Affairs
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 69
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law regulates the establishment and operation of houses of worship for non-Muslim religions, sects, and beliefs in the United Arab Emirates. Its purpose is to consolidate the values of tolerance and coexistence by providing a legal framework for the licensing, supervision, and control of these places of worship. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 2) The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE as it sets out the requirements and procedures for obtaining a license to operate a house of worship. It also imposes various obligations and prohibitions on licensed houses of worship, and establishes penalties for non-compliance. The practical impact is to ensure that the practice of non-Muslim faiths in the UAE is regulated and aligned with the country's values and policies. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Arts. 6-21, 24-28)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this law is to regulate places and rooms of worship in the UAE, including in the free zones. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 3) The law's objectives are to regulate places and rooms of worship, and to consolidate the values of tolerance and coexistence. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: United Arab Emirates
- Ministry: Ministry of Community Development
- Minister: Minister of Community Development
- Local Authority: The local authority concerned with licensing, supervising and controlling houses of worship
- Competent Authority: The Ministry or Local Authority, as the case may be
- Relevant Authorities: Federal or local authorities concerned with the activities carried out by the house of worship
- Committee: The committee responsible for determining the practices, rituals, and worship of non-Muslim religions, sects, and beliefs within the UAE
- Religions, Sects and Beliefs: A group of non-Muslim religions, sects, and beliefs whose practices, worship, and rituals within the UAE are determined by the Committee
- Houses of Worship: Places licensed to perform practices, worship, and conduct religious rituals for religions, sects, and beliefs
- Room of Worship: Designated and authorised rooms at airports for performing prayers for religions, sects and beliefs
- The Board of Directors: The board responsible for managing the affairs of the house of worship
- Members: The founding members and everyone who joins the membership of the house of worship
- Supervisor: The natural person appointed by the Board to carry out the executive work related to the house of worship
- Register: A database for registering houses of worship and rooms
(Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations on houses of worship: 1. Spend their funds to achieve the purposes for which they are established. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 19(1)) 2. Use the house of worship for the purposes specified in their articles of association. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 19(2)) 3. Not make any amendment to their by-laws, change the presidency or membership of the board of directors or supervisor, or change their name or headquarters without the approval of the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 19(3)) 4. Provide the Competent Authority with all the data and information it requests related to the affairs of the house of worship. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 19(4)) 5. Comply with any other obligations determined by the Competent Authority. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 19)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law sets out the following key licensing requirements for houses of worship: 1. The number of founding members must be at least 20 people, each of whom must meet certain conditions such as age, capacity, good conduct, and being a follower of the religion. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 6(1)) 2. The house of worship must belong to one of the religions, sects, or beliefs whose practices, rituals, and worship in the UAE have been determined by the Committee. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 6(2)) 3. The licensing of a house of worship must not prejudice public order. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 6(4)) 4. The Competent Authority may impose any other conditions for licensing. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 6(5)) 5. Rooms of worship may be allocated in coordination with the Competent Authority, subject to conditions and procedures specified in the Executive Regulations. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 7)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalty for non-compliance: 1. A penalty of imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding AED 1,000,000 for any violation of the provisions of this law or its Executive Regulations. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Art. 28)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims was issued on 31 May 2023 and will come into effect on 31 December 2023. (Federal Law Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims, 2023, Issued Date and Effective Date)
Source Documents
This article analyses 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.