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Sanctity of UAE mosques to be maintained

DUBAI - A Cabinet resolution on maintenance and caretaking of mosques in the UAE with aims to safeguard the sanctity of places of worship has been issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Article IV of the UAE Cabinet resolution No. 39 of 2012 mandates that local entities in each emirate are responsible for issuing and keeping registers of mosques and endowments in favour of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments. Article V of the resolution forbids the establishment and building of mosques or any attached amenities without obtaining approval.

Any acts that include preaching, delivering lectures, education, meetings, Holy Quran learning, conducting social meetings, distribution of books or audio/video materials, collecting donations, using mosques to distribute advertisements and pamphlets are prohibited by Article VI of the resolution.

Article VII of the resolution prohibits interfering with issues concerning the call for prayer (Azan), prayer and sermons. Additionally, begging or any act that disrupts the security sanctity of mosques is also forbidden and punishable by law.

As clearly stated in Article VIII, it is prohibited to employ or assign tasks to any person from any nationality except after obtaining proper approval from concerned authorities.

The resolution states that any violations of articles V, VI, VII and VIII are punishable with detention (not exceeding one month) and/or fines (not exceeding Dh5,000). Filing suits or requesting investigations can only be applied for by the concerned authorities, which may suffice with warnings and written pledges not to make such violations in the future.

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