«NBK» discusses the articles of the draft law with government representatives tomorrow
«Organizing places of worship for non-Muslims». Legislative initiative enriches culture of tolerance
The draft law follows a comprehensive review of the provisions of the UAE constitution and relevant human rights treaties. Archival
Dirar Belhoul Al Falasi: "The draft law embodies the UAE's values of embracing diversity."
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The Chairman of the Social Affairs, Labor, Population and Human Resources Committee of the Federal National Council, Dirar Belhoul Al Falasi, revealed to "Emirates Today" the features of the draft federal law on the organization of places of worship for non-Muslims, which the Council is discussing in its session scheduled to be held tomorrow, explaining that the draft law aims to regulate places and rooms of worship for non-Muslims within the country, and promote the values of tolerance and coexistence, as it includes provisions related to the establishment of a committee to determine the practices of rites and worship of religions, sects and beliefs for non-Muslims, and the establishment of a register with the competent authority To restrict places of worship.
According to al-Falasi, the draft law stipulates that the house of worship will acquire the status of legal personality as of the date of the issuance of the decision to approve the license, and requires the existence of a bank account for the house of worship and the maintenance of records, books, programs and electronic systems related to all its activities for a period of no less than 10 years.
In detail, the Federal National Council will hold its 11th session of the fourth ordinary session of the 17th legislative term, tomorrow, under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the Council, Saqr Ghobash, to discuss a draft federal law on the regulation of places of worship for non-Muslims, in the presence of the Minister of Community Development, Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, and a number of ministry leaders and government representatives.
The Social Affairs, Labor, Population and Human Resources Committee submitted to the Council its final report on a draft federal law on the regulation of places of worship for non-Muslims, in preparation for discussing its articles and items with government representatives tomorrow, under the dome of the Council, and approving it according to the members of the Council.
The Chairman of the Social Affairs, Labor, Population and Human Resources Committee, Dirar Belhoul Al Falasi, confirmed that the committee discussed the draft law, which consists of 32 articles, in an integrated manner, and held in-depth deliberations among its members, and with a large number of concerned authorities, in addition to organizing many meetings and meetings with government representatives from the Ministry of Community Development, as the authority that proposed the law and is mainly responsible for implementing its provisions, explaining that the committee concluded that the law aims to regulate places and rooms of worship within the country. Promote the values of tolerance and coexistence.
Al Falasi told Emirates Today: "The UAE is a model to be followed and a beacon of harmonious life that includes diverse nationalities, societies, religions and sects, as it constantly works to promote the values of tolerance and coexistence among its citizens and residents on its good land, in recognition and respect for different religions and nationalities that coexist and deal with each other on the basis of humanity and high-end dealings. From this standpoint, the UAE government saw the need to formulate a legislative framework that guarantees religious practices on sound foundations in line with the values and principles of the state."
He added: "This legislative initiative represented in the draft law regulating places of worship for non-Muslims comes after a comprehensive review of the provisions of the UAE Constitution and relevant human rights treaties by the Committee on Social Affairs, Labor, Population and Human Resources, which was submitted on May 16, where the committee conducted a serious review process by analyzing the compatibility of the proposal with the constitution, its relationship with existing laws, its consistency, and its compatibility with international conventions related to human rights and religious discrimination, with the aim of ensuring that the proposed law remains compliant. with the core values that the UAE upholds, and reinforces its long-standing commitment to tolerance and respect for all."
Al-Falasi explained that the committee's methodology for studying the draft law included assigning the General Secretariat to prepare the necessary social, political, strategic and legal studies on the purposes of this project and its impact on the individuals covered by its provisions, as well as studying the justifications of the project and assessing the compatibility of the proposed law with it, moreover, the relevant international treaties and agreements were analyzed to ensure universal compliance, with the committee referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination on the Basis of Religion or belief, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
He stated that the draft federal law on places of worship for non-Muslims aims to enrich the culture of global tolerance, and confront manifestations of discrimination and racism, whatever their nature, ethnic, religious or cultural, pointing out that articles (1-3) of the draft law deal with the definitions of some words and phrases contained in the draft law, in addition to the objectives of the federal law, and the scope of its application, and articles (4-5) deal with the provisions related to the establishment of a committee to determine the practices of rites and worship of religions, sects and beliefs for non-Muslims, and the establishment of a register with the competent authority to register Places of worship. Articles (6-11) deal with the provisions related to the conditions and controls for licensing places and rooms of worship, the statute of the house of worship, in addition to submitting license applications, fulfilling the requirements and conditions of the license, issuing the licensing decision, and acquiring the legal personality of the house of worship from the date of the issuance of the decision approving the license.
According to Al-Falasi, articles (12-13) deal with the provisions related to the board of directors of the affairs of the house of worship, in addition to the annual meetings of places of worship, while articles (14-17) deal with the provisions related to determining the financial resources of the house of worship and organizing its funds, in addition to the mandatory existence of a bank account for the house of worship and the maintenance of records, books, programs and electronic systems related to its activities for a period of not less than 10 years, and articles (18-22) provisions related to the obligations of the house of worship and the prohibitions thereon, and the supervision of the competent authority over places of worship, in addition to To provide the local authorities concerned with licensing places of worship, the Ministry of Community Development, with data, information and reports on places of worship that are licensed locally. Articles 23-26 deal with the provisions relating to the imposition of administrative sanctions, the mandatory and voluntary closure of places of worship, and the rules of liquidation. Articles 27-28 also deal with provisions relating to penalties and judicial seizure. Finally, Articles (29-32) deal with the provisions relating to regularization, issuance of executive regulations, cancellations, publication and enforcement of the law.
Al Falasi pointed out that the draft law is in line with Article 32 of the UAE Constitution, which affirms the freedom to practice religious rites in line with the customs recognized in the country, provided that such practices do not disturb public order or contradict public morals.
"The draft law embodies the UAE's founding values of embracing diversity, promoting unity and supporting mutual respect among all its residents, and indicates the country's dedication to creating an inclusive society that enables individuals of all religions, nationalities and ethnicities to coexist harmoniously and practice their religions freely and without discrimination," he said.
He added: "If we look at the draft law in essence, we see that it seeks to establish a unified general framework applicable throughout the country with regard to the practices, rituals and beliefs of non-Islamic religions and sects, it is in essence in line with our national belief in promoting tolerance and coexistence and meeting the religious needs of the UAE population within a regulated legal framework."
Emirati standard for 'diversity'
The Chairman of the Social Affairs, Labour, Population and Human Resources Committee of the Federal National Council, Dirar Belhoul Al Falasi, said that the draft law regulating places of worship for non-Muslims has set an Emirati standard for countries around the world, especially to promote a society that respects and values diversity, by regulating places of worship for non-Muslims, stressing that this law promotes the principles of tolerance and coexistence, and sets a road map for other countries to follow, to confirm that the UAE is indeed a global model for harmonious coexistence and unity in diversity and mutual respect.
Al Falasi said that this legislation will contribute to the state's ongoing mission to promote peace, understanding and respect among its population, while guaranteeing the rights of every individual, regardless of their faith or beliefs.