Dh750k Fines: 7 Penalties for Non-Muslim Places of Worship
The UAE has rolled out a strict new slate of administrative penalties under Federal Law No. 9 of 2023, targeting non-Muslim places of worship that breach operational regulations. Miss an official notice, and facilities have just 15 days to respond before silence is treated as evidence that the breach occurred. Fines scale up fast for repeat offenses, reaching as high as Dh750,000 alongside temporary suspensions lasting up to three months.
Here are seven key violations outlined under the updated framework.
1. Operating Without a Renewed Licence
Letting a license lapse while keeping doors open triggers a formal warning on the first strike. Hit a second violation and the fine jumps to Dh25,000, doubling to Dh50,000 on the third. A fourth breach can shut down facility activities for up to three months.2. Missing an Appointed Supervisor
Every worship space must operate with a supervisor appointed by the competent council. Operating without one brings an initial warning, followed by a Dh5,000 fine for the second strike and Dh10,000 for the third. Further infractions risk a three-month suspension.3. Skipping the Annual Meeting
Facilities that fail to hold their required annual meeting on time face a warning first. That penalty is followed by a Dh15,000 fine for a second infraction and Dh30,000 for a third, before temporary suspensions kick in.4. Receiving Overseas Donations
Accepting grants, gifts, aid, bequests, or donations from individuals or organizations outside the UAE carries some of the steepest financial hits on the list. The first violation costs Dh100,000, the second climbs to Dh250,000, and a third reaches Dh500,000.5. Unapproved Overseas Transfers
Transferring donations or other funds abroad without prior approval from the competent authority starts with a Dh50,000 penalty. The fine doubles to Dh100,000 for the second offense and hits Dh250,000 on the third.6. Operating Without a Local Bank Account
Places of worship are required to hold an account with a national bank operating in the country. Skipping this step triggers a warning initially, then a Dh10,000 fine, followed by Dh20,000 for subsequent breaches.7. Spending Cash Before Depositing
Rules mandate that cash must be deposited straight into the approved bank account before any spending occurs. Authorities formally classify spending cash prior to this deposit as a regulatory violation under the updated administrative framework.Loading more…
