Do you visit Mosques in UAE ? Here are the New Rules You Should Know

The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a new set of laws that applies to mosques, public and private prayer spaces and Eid mussalas in the country.

Here is all You need to Know.

see also: Ramadan 2018 : Dubai Prayer Timings

What Mosque employees should watch out for.

The law stipulates that candidates for jobs at mosques should be Emirati of good conduct, with no arrests, citation or criminal record in felonies or misdemeanours relating to honour or personal integrity, unless they have been cleared of the charges. Candidates for employment are also required to pass the tests, be medically fit and have all the required academic qualifications, accredited by the government departments concerned.

The law prohibits those working in mosques from belonging to any illegal group or from carrying out any political or organisational activities.

If you do not have a license, you cannot do the following activities.

Conducting Quran memorisation circles; collecting donations or other aid; appointing or assigning any person on a temporary or permanent basis to hold or organise religious or social events; distribution of books, leaflets, audio and video recordings; I’tikaaf (dedicating time for spiritual seclusion in the mosque), or bringing food inside the mosque.

Rule regarding naming of mosques.
According to the law, the authority or local authority concerned with the affairs of mosques is responsible for naming mosques, and it may, with consent, designate the mosque according to the donor’s wishes. A similar name may not be used for another mosque in the same city unless approved by the body or the local authority concerned.

The authority concerned will be responsible for providing and supervising the needs of mosques and prayer spaces. which includes determining the timing of the call to prayer, Iqamah (the second call to prayer), organising religious lessons and lectures and the preparing of sermons, and religious events. The opening and closing dates of mosques as well as the rules and conditions of I’tikaaf are also to be determined by authorities.

The Cabinet shall issue the executive regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Law within six months from the date on which it entered into force.