Dhs750,000 maximum fine for violations related to non-Muslim places of worship

A resolution governing administrative violations and penalties for breaches of Federal Law No. 9 of 2023 on the Regulation of Places of Worship for Non-Muslims and its executive regulations identifies 24 types of violations. Penalties range from formal warnings to the temporary suspension of a place of worship’s activities for up to three months, with possible extensions for a fourth offence. Financial penalties start at Dhs5,000 for a second offence and rise to Dhs750,000 for a fourth offence.

The resolution, which took effect in mid-October 2026, sets out penalties for places of worship that continue their activities or operations without renewing their licences in accordance with the prescribed terms and procedures. These include a formal warning for the first offence, an administrative fine of Dhs25,000 for the second offence, a fine of Dhs50,000 for the third offence, and a temporary suspension of activities for up to three months, extendable for similar periods, for the fourth offence. A 60-day period is granted to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

Conducting activities

A place of worship that conducts its activities or operations without a supervisor appointed by the Council shall be subject to the following penalties: a warning for the first offence; a fine of Dhs5,000 for the second offence, a fine of Dhs10,000 for the third offence, and temporary suspension of activities for up to three months, renewable for similar periods, for the fourth offence. A period of 30 days shall be granted to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

A place of worship that collects or receives donations, gifts, subsidies, bequests, or grants from any person or entity outside the country shall be subject to an administrative fine of Dhs100,000 for the first offence, Dhs250,000 for the second offence, and Dhs500,000 for the third offence. For the fourth offence, its activities shall be temporarily suspended for up to three months, renewable for similar periods.

The resolution further stipulates that a place of worship that transfers, provides, or remits any form of aid, support, assistance, or funds outside the country without prior approval from the competent authority shall be subject to an administrative fine of Dhs50,000 for the first offence, Dhs100,000 for the second offence, and Dhs250,000 for the third offence. For the fourth offence, its activities shall be temporarily suspended for up to three months, renewable for similar periods.

Opening an account

If a place of worship conducts its operations and activities without opening an account with one of the national banks operating in the country, it shall receive a warning for the first offence. A second offence shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs10,000, and a third offence shall result in a fine of Dhs20,000. Upon the fourth offence, its activities shall be temporarily suspended for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods. The place of worship shall be granted 10 days to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

If a place of worship spends cash funds before depositing them into its approved bank accounts, it shall receive a warning for the first offence. A second offence shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs50,000, and a third offence shall result in a fine of Dhs100,000. Upon the fourth offence, its activities shall be temporarily suspended for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods. The place of worship shall be granted seven days to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

If a place of worship fails to provide the competent authority with its bank account details within 10 days of opening the accounts, it shall receive a warning for the first offence. A second offence shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs5,000, and a third offence shall result in a fine of Dhs10,000. Upon the fourth offence, its activities shall be temporarily suspended for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods. The place of worship shall be granted 10 days to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

Fulfilment of objectives

Failure by a place of worship to use its funds in accordance with the objectives for which it was established shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs25,000 for the first offence, Dhs50,000 for the second, and Dhs150,000 for the third. A fourth offence shall result in the temporary suspension of its activities for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods.

Using a place of worship for purposes other than those specified in its founding charter shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs100,000 for the first offence, Dhs200,000 for the second, and Dhs400,000 for the third. A fourth offence shall result in the temporary suspension of its activities for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods. A period of 30 days shall be granted to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

Performing acts of worship, religious observances, or rituals outside the designated premises shall also constitute a violation. Such violations shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs100,000 for the first offence, Dhs200,000 for the second, and Dhs400,000 for the third. A fourth offence shall result in the temporary suspension of the place of worship’s activities for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods.

Engaging in rituals or practices that cause harm to oneself or others, or threaten the health, safety, or security of any individual, including visitors to or employees of a place of worship, shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs100,000 for the first offence. A second offence shall result in the temporary suspension of activities for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods.

Furthermore, holding external meetings or conferences, or affiliating with places of worship, organisations, bodies, associations, or entities based outside the country, shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs250,000 for the first offence, Dhs500,000 for the second, and Dhs750,000 for the third. A fourth offence shall result in the temporary suspension of the place of worship’s activities for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods. A period of 30 days shall be granted to rectify the violation and remedy any resulting damage.

Donation solicitations

Violating regulations governing the collection of donations, permitting such collection, or soliciting donations through audio, print, or visual media, social media, or any other means shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs100,000 for the first offence, Dhs250,000 for the second, and Dhs500,000 for the third. For a fourth offence, the activities of the place of worship shall be temporarily suspended for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods.

Establishing a formal or informal relationship, in any capacity, with the diplomatic or official institutions of any state shall result in an administrative fine of Dhs250,000 for the first offence, Dhs500,000 for the second, and Dhs750,000 for the third. For a fourth offence, the activities of the place of worship shall be temporarily suspended for a period not exceeding three months, which may be extended for similar periods.

A place of worship may file a grievance with the competent authority against any administrative penalties or measures imposed on it within 15 days of notification of the penalty. The grievance must be substantiated and accompanied by all supporting documents and data. Failure to file a grievance within this period shall result in forfeiture of the right to do so, and no grievance submitted after the deadline shall be accepted.