UAE Personal Status (Non-Muslim) LawCabinet Resolution No. (82) of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law No. (9) of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims

Article (1) Definitions The definitions set forth in the Federal Law No. (9) of 2023 concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims shall be applied to this Resolution. Otherwise, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: Federal Law No. (9) of 2023 concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims. : Law The main house of worship outside the State specified by the committee. Such house serves as the religious reference for the religion, sect, or belief. : Parent House of Worship The geographical scope of the house of worship desired to be licensed in the Emirate. : The Geographical Scope of the House of Worship

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 2 It is the committee that is selected from among the founding members of the house of worship and is responsible for submitting and following up the license application in accordance with the requirements of the Law and this Resolution. : Temporary Committee

Article (2) Register A register shall be established at the competent authority in which the houses and rooms of worship licensed or allocated by the competent authority are recorded, provided that the following data and information shall be available: First: Data and information of the house of worship. 1. Name of the house of worship. 2. Place of the house of worship. 3. Religion, sect or belief where its rituals are licensed to be practised at the house of worship. 4. License number and date of the house of worship. 5. Name of the licensing authority. 6. Objectives of the house of worship as determined in its Articles of Association. 7. A copy of the Articles of Association of the house of worship. 8. Conditions and procedures to practise worships, religious rituals, programs and times for performing religious rituals. 9. Data and information of the parent house of worship representing the religious reference for the licensed house of worship. 10. The area of the house of worship and its facilities. 11. Details of the founding members of the house of worship. 12. Details and contract numbers of persons concerned with management of the house of worship. 13. Any other data or information specified by the competent authority.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 3 Second: Data and information of the room of worship 1. Place of the room of worship. 2. Allocation number and date of the room of worship. 3. Data and information of the person in charge of the room of worship. 4. Any other data or information specified by the competent authority.

Article (3) Conditions, Controls and Procedures of Allocation of Rooms of Worship Allocation of rooms of worship at airports shall be carried out in coordination with the concerned authority in accordance with the following conditions, controls, and procedures: 1. Conditions that are required to be provided upon submitting an application to allocate rooms of worship: a. Easy access to the room of worship. b. Rooms of worship are confined to performance of rituals only for religions, sects and beliefs according to the decision of the committee. c. Necessary and essential services shall be available next to the room to enable individuals of different religions, sects, and beliefs to perform their worship. d. The room of worship shall not contain any religious symbols or signs. 2. Conditions that are required to be provided upon submitting an application to allocate rooms of worship: a. Allocated rooms of worship shall be only one room for the same airport. b. The airport management shall provide and ensure the all safety, health, and security measures for the room around the clock, and connect the surveillance camera systems with the security authorities in charge of the geographical location of the room of worship. c. Allocated rooms of worship shall not be adjacent to the Muslim prayer area.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 4 3. Procedures that are required to be provided upon submitting an application to allocate rooms of worship: a. The application shall be submitted by the legal representative of the room of worship to the airport management, which, in turn, shall refer such application to the competent authority. b. The competent authority shall study the application and issue a decision within thirty (30) days from the date of submission, either approving or rejecting the allocation of the room of worship. c. Rooms of worship shall be subject to the supervision and monitoring of the competent authority in coordination with the airport management.

Article (4) Preliminary Approval The competent authority shall study the license application after verifying that all required data and supporting documents are submitted. Then, the competent authority shall issue a decision within sixty (60) days from the date of submission, either granting a preliminary approval for the license of the house of worship or rejecting the application. The competent authority may request the temporary committee to make any necessary amendments to the Articles of Association of the house of worship, or to provide any additional documents or information deemed necessary for its approval. If the temporary committee does not make the required amendments within sixty (60) days, the license application shall be deemed cancelled.

Article (5) Requirements of Licensing The temporary committee shall, within a period not exceeding six (6) months from the date of the preliminary approval, provide the following requirements: 1. Approval of the relevant authorities within the geographical area of the house of worship desired to be licensed.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 5 2. A plan and ownership document for the plot where the house of worship will be established, or a plan and ownership document for the building desired to be converted, modified, or used as a house of worship, in addition to approved architectural drawings for any required additions to such building, if any. 3. Submitting a declaration or commitment from the landowner, indicating their consent to use the land for establishing a house of worship. 4. Submitting an estimated statistical statement of the number of individuals belonging to the religion, sect, or belief for which the house of worship is to be licensed, residing within the geographical area of the house of worship, and providing information on the affiliates of the house. 5. Determining a name for the house of worship, provided that such name shall not relate to national slogans or symbols. 6. Submitting a copy of the draft budget for the costs of construction and operation of the house of worship and financial resources necessary thereto. 7. Submitting a copy of the passport, residence and UAE ID for all founding members. 8. Submitting a copy of the criminal case investigation certificate for every founding member. 9. Any other requirements determined by the competent authority.

Article (6) Review the License Application The competent authority shall study the license application within sixty (60) days from the date the temporary committee has fulfilled all the requirements, conditions, and documents. The competent authority shall issue a decision either approving or rejecting the license for the house of worship. The decision issued in this regard shall be final, and the license for the house of worship shall be valid for a maximum of two (2) years and may be renewed in accordance with the provisions of Article (7) of this Resolution.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 6

Article (7) Conditions and Procedures for Licensing Houses of Worship 1. Conditions that should be provided upon renewal of house of worship license: a. No violation that requires the application of necessary penalties thereto according to legislations applicable in the State is not reported. b. The house of worship is committed to hold its annual meetings on its scheduled times. c. Houses of worship provide periodical reports for the activities, events and the closing account for the ended financial fiscal promptly upon approval at the annual meeting. d. Period of the license renewal shall be determined. In case renewal is applied for a period exceeding two (2) years, reasons for such application shall be provided. 2. Procedures that should be followed upon renewal of the house of worship license: a. The Chairman of the Board of the house of worship shall submit a renewal application, associated with the supporting documents, to the competent authority using the designated form for this purpose at least sixty (60) days before the license expiration date. b. The competent authority shall study the renewal application and issue a decision within thirty (30) days from the date of submission, either approving or rejecting the renewal of the license. Reasons of rejection shall be stated. c. Period of the license renewal shall be two (2) years. The chairman of the competent authority may make and exemption with respect to the license period upon renewal for a period not exceeding four (4) years if the chairman has reasons thereto. 3. The house of worship may remove the reasons that led to the rejection of the license renewal and to apply again to the competent authority according to the procedures stipulated in this Article.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 7

Article (8) Bank Accounts Each house of worship shall have one or more bank accounts in any of the national banks operating in the State in accordance with the following conditions: 1. Articles of association of the house of worship shall determine bank accounts of the house of worship, and the rules and controls for opening, managing, operating and closing those accounts, as well as the authorized persons thereto. 2. The local currency shall be the base currency for these accounts, and after the approval of the competent authority, the house of worship may have one or more accounts in foreign currency after providing justifications thereto. 3. A bank account shall be opened for the house of worship subject to a certificate issued by the competent authority to the bank designated by the house of worship in the application provided, declaring there is no objection to open the bank account and to approve the signatory officials. 4. The house of worship shall deposit its cash Funds in its name in its bank accounts, and it may not disburse them before depositing them in these accounts. 5. Banks and Financial Institutions may not open any bank accounts for house of worship unless they are registered and licensed by the competent authority subject to provisions of the Law and this Resolution, and after obtaining the certificate referred to in Clause (3) of this Article. 6. An application to open the bank account shall be submitted to the competent authority according to the form prepared for this purpose, attached with the following: a. A copy of passports and ID cards of the signatories. b. A copy of the Articles of Association of the house of worship. c. A copy of any authorizations issued and approved by the competent authority, delegating any member or employee to sign with respect to the bank account. d. The bank the house of worship desires to open an account in it shall be determined. e. Any other requirements determined by the competent authority.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 8 7. The house of worship shall notify the competent authority of the details of the bank accounts within (10) ten days from the date of opening these accounts and of every change that occurs to the bank in which its Funds are deposited.

Article (9) Registers and Books 1. The house of worship shall keep at its place the records, books and electronic systems relevant to all its activities, specifically: a. Register of names and details of the Board members and the supervisor of the house of worship. b. Records of names and details of members. c. A register of the names of religious preachers working at the house of worship who are authorized by the committee established subject to Article (4) of the Law. d. A register of the name of well-known visitors and religious preachers from the State or foreigners to the house of worship. e. Minutes of the Board meetings and annual meetings of the house of worship, provided that these shall be translated into Arabic language. f. Administrative systems for registration and documentation of minutes and reports. g. Books of accounts of revenue and expenses supported by the approved documents. h. A list of assets and properties of the house of worship (Assets register). i. Financial or accounting systems used to recognize financial transactions. 2. Books, registers and prints of the house of worship shall include its name and number of its license. The house of worship shall provide a copy of such books, registers and prints to the competent authority upon request. 3. The house of worship shall keep the aforementioned registers and books for a period that is not less than ten (10) years. The house of worship may not destroy

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 9 any of such registers and books unless upon the consent of the competent authority.

Article (10) Organization of Conferences, Seminars, Meetings or Events at the Place of the House of Worship Without prejudice to Articles (19) and (20) of the Law, houses of worship that are licensed according to the provisions of the Law and this Resolution, may organize conferences, seminars, meetings, or events within the house of worship. This shall be according to the following controls and procedures: 1. A written request shall be submitted to the competent authority according to its approved form in this respect at least fifteen (15) prior to the date set for the activity or the event. 2. The request shall include detailed information about the activity or event desired to be organized, (specifically the purpose of the activity or event, the date of implementation, the place of implementation, the target audience (entities/individuals), details and information of the presenters or lecturers, and details and information of the guests from outside or inside the State, including a copy of UAE ID cards or passports). Any other data or information specified by the competent authority. 3. The competent authority shall study the request and issue its decision to approve or reject the request within five (5) working days from the date the request with all requirements fulfilled. The competent authority may require additional information or documents, and the submission of such additional documents or information will be considered an extension of the period mentioned in this Clause for a similar period. The decision of the competent authority regarding the request shall be final.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 10

Article (11) Procedures to Impose Penalties Without prejudice to criminal liability or any other administrative penalties stipulated in any other law, the chairman of the competent authority, or his delegate, may impose any of the following administrative penalties stipulated in Article (24) of the Law on houses of worship in case such houses of worship violate any of the provisions of this law, its Executive Regulations, or the resolutions issued in implementation thereof, according to the following procedures: 1. A report for the committed violation shall be prepared. 2. The house of worship shall be notified of the committed violation. 3. A date shall be set to respond thereto. Failure to respond within the specified time shall be considered an admission of violation. 4. The competent authority shall study the violation upon the lapse of the date set for respond thereto. 5. Procedures to impose penalties shall be taken according to grossness and nature of the violation. This shall not be in prejudice to the criminal liability when required.

Article (12) Appealing the Administrative Penalties The house of worship may appeal to the competent authority against the penalties and measures taken toward the house of worship within fifteen (15) days from the date of its notification with the appealed penalty or measure. Such appeal shall be decided on within thirty (30) working days from its submission date. Receiving no reply for the appeal within thirty (30) days from the date of its submission shall be deemed a rejection of such appeal. The decision issued in this respect shall be final. The chairman of the competent authority may take any of the following procedures with respect to the appeal. 1. The decided penalty is affirmed. 2. The administrative penalty is replaced by another lighter penalty.

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Federal Cabinet Resolution of 2024 Concerning the Executive Regulation of Federal Law of 2023 Concerning the Regulation of Houses of Worship for Non-Muslims 11 3. The decided administrative penalty is cancelled.