General UAE Legal Questions LawCabinet Resolution No. (39) of 2012 Regarding the System for the Care of Mosques

Article (2) The purpose of this Resolution is to ensure the care of mosques, their preservation, and the upholding of their sanctity.

Article (3) The provisions of this Resolution shall apply to mosques established or to be established after the entry into force of the provisions of this Resolution.

Article (4) 1. The entities concerned with real estate registration in the State shall register the ownership of mosques and their affiliated endowments as an endowment (waqf) placed under the supervision of the Competent Authority and shall issue title deeds. It is prohibited to dispose thereof in any manner whatsoever, except for the benefit of the endowment and following the official approval of the Competent Authority. 2. The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Article shall not apply to prayer rooms designated in commercial centers, hotels, and the like.

Article (5) It is prohibited to establish mosques, or any of their facilities or affiliated endowments, or to make any modifications to their designs or plans, or to install caravans for the same purpose, except after obtaining the approval of the Competent Authority and fulfilling the controls and conditions prescribed thereby in this regard.

Article (7) It is prohibited to perform any of the following acts in mosques: 1. Begging. 2. Interfering in matters related to the call to prayer (adhan), the iqama, prayer, and sermons, by persons other than employees appointed by the Competent Authority. 3. Committing any acts that would disturb the security or violate the sanctity of mosques. 4. Causing damage to mosques or to any of their contents or belongings. 5. Violating the other controls and instructions prescribed by the Competent Authority.

Article (8) It is prohibited to appoint, assign, or recruit any person to work in mosques, regardless of their position or nationalities, on a permanent or temporary basis, except after the official approval of the Competent Authority.

Article (9) Without prejudice to any more severe penalty stipulated in any other law, whoever violates any of the provisions of Articles (5), (6), (7), and (8) of this Resolution shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month and a fine not exceeding five thousand dirhams, or with either of these two penalties.

Article (10) 1. No criminal case or any investigation proceedings may be initiated in respect of violations committed in contravention of the provisions of this Resolution, except upon a written

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Cabinet Resolution of 2012 Regarding the System for the Care of Mosques 4 request from the Competent Authority submitted to the police or the competent Public Prosecution. 2. The Competent Authority may suffice with warning the violator and obtaining a written undertaking therefrom not to repeat such a violation in the future.

Article (11) The criminal case shall lapse upon a waiver of the Competent Authority at any time before a final judgment is issued therein, and in the case of multiple defendants, the waiver of the complaint in respect of any of them shall extend its effect to the others.

Article (12) The Minister of Justice, in agreement with the Chairman of the Competent Authority, shall issue a resolution specifying the employees vested with the capacity of judicial enforcement officers for the supervision of mosques, to verify compliance with the application of the provisions of this Resolution. They shall have the authority to establish violations of its provisions and the provisions of the resolutions issued in implementation thereof.

Article (13) The Competent Authority shall issue the decisions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Resolution.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2012 Regarding the System for the Care of Mosques 5

Article (14) This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force from the date of its publication. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Prime Minister Issued by us: On: 17 Safar 1434 A.H. Corresponding to: 30 December 2012 A.D.

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