General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Law No. (4) of 2018 Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques

Article (2) The Applicability The provisions hereof shall apply to the Mosques, Public and Private Prayer Rooms and Eid Prayer Rooms in the State. Chapter Two Regulating Mosque Affairs

Article (3) Mosque Naming 1. The Competent Authority is competent to name the Mosques. 2. Without prejudice to the provision of Item (1) of this Article, the Masque may be named, subject to approval of the Competent Authority, at the wish of the person who donated to build it.

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Federal Law No. (4) of 2018 Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques 3 3. The Mosque's name may be duplicated in the same city only after the approval of the Competent Authority.

Article (5) License 1. Building of Mosques or Eid Prayer Rooms, allocation of places for Public Prayer Rooms, introduction of any modifications, additions thereto, or maintenance thereof may be permitted only after obtaining a permit from the Competent Authority, in coordination with the concerned bodies in the State, in accordance with the prescribed requirements and controls. 2. The Public Prayer Rooms donors shall be obliged to provide the needs of such prayer

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Federal Law No. (4) of 2018 Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques 4 rooms and spend thereon, in coordination with the concerned bodies, in accordance with the prescribed requirements and controls.

Article (6) Security and Safety of the Mosques In coordination with the concerned bodies in the State, the Competent Authority shall take the actions that ensure the safety and security of the Mosques, prayer rooms and Eid Prayer Rooms.

Article (7) Title Deeds 1. The title deeds of the Mosques shall be registered with the concerned bodies in the Real Estate Registration in each Emirate, in the name of the Competent Authority. 2. Notwithstanding the provision of Item (1) of this Article, Mosques may be registered in the name of any federal or local government entity, in coordination with the Competent Authority, provided that the sponsor of the mosque shall be responsible for spending thereon, under the supervision of and in coordination with the Competent Authority.

Article (9) Prohibitions The following actions shall be prohibited in the Mosques, Public Prayer Rooms and Eid Prayer Rooms: 1. Beggary 2. Interference with the affairs of the call for prayer (Azaan) or sermons. 3. Practising any activity against the safety and sanctity of the Masques. Chapter Three Mosques Personnel

Article (11) Human Resources Regulation 1. The Cabinet shall, upon the proposal of the Board of Directors of the Authority, issue a regulation designated to the human and financial resources for the staff of the Authority's Mosques. 2. The Chairman of the Authority shall issue a resolution on the permanent appointment of the occupants of the positions in the Authority's Mosques upon the issuance of the resolution of the Cabinet referred to in Item (1) of this Article, without prejudice to their accrued rights.

Article (12) The Obligations of the Mosques' Personnel The personnel working in Mosques shall: 1. Implement the instructions of the Competent Authority regarding the sermons of Fridays, Eids and religious events, preaching materials, lessons, lectures and fatwas. 2. Wear the uniform determined by the Competent Authority for those working in Mosques while carrying out the duties assigned thereto.

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Federal Law No. (4) of 2018 Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques 7

Article (13) Prohibitions for Mosques' Personnel The personnel working in Mosques shall not: 1. Affiliate to any illegal group or practise any banned political or organizational activity; 2. Preach, give a legal opinion (fatwa), teach lessons or memorize the Holy Qur'an outside the Mosques or bodies authorized by the Competent Authority; 3. Participate in any media activities without the prior permission of the Competent Authority; or 4. Raise funds or financial or in-kind aid for himself or for third party. Chapter Four Penalties

Article (14) The penalties provided for in this Law shall not prejudice any more severe penalty provided for in any other law.

Article (15) Any person who breaches the provisions of Article (8) and Items (1) and (2) of Article (9) hereof shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and/or a fine not exceeding (AED 5,000) Five Thousand Dirhams.

Article (16) Any person who breaches the provision of Item (3) of Article (9) hereof shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months and/or a fine not less than (AED 20,000) Twenty Thousand Dirhams and not exceeding (AED 50,000) Fifty Thousand

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Federal Law No. (4) of 2018 Concerning the Organization of, and Care for Mosques 8 Dirhams.

Article (17) Judicial Police The staff designated by a resolution of the Minister of Justice, in agreement with the President, shall have the capacity of Judicial Police Officers in detection of any violations of the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in implementation hereof, within their area of competence. Chapter Five General Provisions

Article (18) Regularization of Status The Competent Authority shall regularize the status of Mosques, Public Prayer Rooms and Eid Prayer Rooms, that were built before the provisions of this Law entered into force, within a period of one year from the effective date of its provisions. Such period may be renewed by virtue of a resolution issued by the Cabinet.

Article (19) Human Resources Legislation 1. Where no special provision is made, the human resources legislation in force at the Competent Authority shall apply. 2. The laws, regulations and decisions in force at the time of the issuance of this Law shall continue to be in force and shall not conflict with its provisions until the superseding laws, regulations and resolutions are issued.

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Article (20) Executive Resolutions of the Law 1. The Cabinet shall issue the Executive Regulations that are necessary to implement the provisions hereof within six months from the effective date of the Law. 2. The Authority shall issue the resolutions necessary to implement the provisions hereof. 3. Subject to the provisions of Items (1) and (2) of this Article, the local authority concerned with the affairs of Mosques in each Emirate may establish the controls and conditions necessary to implement the provisions of this Law, while not conflicting with its provisions.

Article (21) Repeals Any prevision that contradicts or in conflicts herewith shall be repealed.

Article (22) Publication and Entry into Force This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force from the day following the date of its Publication. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates Issued by Us in the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi: On: Sha'ban 1439 AH. Corresponding to: 25 April 2018 AD.

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