Administrative Resolution No. (90) of 2022

Concerning

Prayer Rooms in the Emirate of Dubai ^{^[1]}

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The Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department,

After perusal of:

Law No. (2) of 2011 Concerning the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department;

Executive Council Resolution No. (25) of 2013 Concerning Mosques and Religious Activities in the Emirate of Dubai;

Executive Council Resolution No. (2) of 2020 Approving the Organisational Structure of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department;

Executive Council Resolution No. (31) of 2021 Regulating Prayer Rooms in the Emirate of Dubai; and

Administrative Resolution No. (9) of 2020 Approving the Rules and Procedures for Licensing Religious Activities in the Emirate of Dubai,

Does hereby issue this Resolution.

Definitions

Article (1)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Resolution, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Emirate:	The Emirate of Dubai.
IACAD:	The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
Licensing Authority:	The competent Government entity in charge of licensing construction works in the Emirate.
Prayer Room:	A Public Prayer Room or a Private Prayer Room.
Public Prayer Room:	A place that belongs to a Government or non-Government entity, is designated for performing prayers, and is open to the public.
Private Prayer Room:	A place that belongs to a Government or non-Government entity, is designated for performing prayers, and is not open to the public.
Person:	A natural or legal person.
Curator:	A Person who is responsible for the management, operation, and upkeep of a Prayer Room.

Public Prayer Room Licensing Requirements

Article (2)

a. A Public Prayer Room will be licensed subject to the following:

1. An initial approval must be obtained from the IACAD prior to commencing the construction and fitting works of the Public Prayer Room.

2. The place to be designated as a Public Prayer Room must meet the requirements stipulated in paragraph (a) of Article (4) of this Resolution.

3. A consultant must be appointed to supervise the construction of the Public Prayer Room as per the plans approved by the Licensing Authority and the IACAD.

4. A construction works permit must be obtained from the Licensing Authority within six (6) months from the date on which the initial approval referred to in sub-paragraph (a)(1) of this Article is obtained from the IACAD. The IACAD may, upon the request of the Curator, extend this time limit once for a period of three (3) months.

5. Completion certificates for the Public Prayer Room must be obtained from the Licensing Authority and the IACAD.

b. The IACAD may revoke its approval to the construction of a Public Prayer Room where any of the requirements stipulated in sub-paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), or (a)(5) of this Article is not satisfied.

Public Prayer Room Licensing Procedures

Article (3)

In licensing a Public Prayer Room, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The Curator will submit an application for licensing the Public Prayer Room to the IACAD on the form prescribed by it for this purpose, supported by the required documents.

2. The IACAD will consider the application referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of this Article and will determine that application within fifteen (15) days from the date of its submission, otherwise the application will be deemed rejected.

3. The IACAD will notify the Curator of its decision within five (5) days from the date of its issuance.

Criteria for Prayer Rooms

Article (4)

a. A Public Prayer Room must:

1. be constructed as a stand-alone building;

2. have an entrance and an exit on a road;

3. have all the basic facilities prescribed by the IACAD; and

4. be open to the public to perform prayer.

b. A Prayer Room that does not meet the criteria prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Article will be considered a Private Prayer Room.

Conditions for Granting Permits to Work at Prayer Rooms

Article (5)

To be issued with a permit to work at a Prayer Room, a person must:

1. successfully pass the interview and test administered by the IACAD;

2. be of good conduct and repute and not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanour affecting honour or trustworthiness, unless he has been rehabilitated;

3. not be less than twenty-one (21) years of age; and

4. have the relevant academic qualifications and work experience prescribed by the IACAD.

Obligations of Curators

Article (6)

In addition to the obligations prescribed by the above-mentioned Executive Council Resolution No. (31) of 2021, a Curator must:

1. comply with the planning and construction standards and conditions prescribed by the IACAD and the Licensing Authority;

2. obtain a Qibla direction certificate from the IACAD;

3. not change the use of the Prayer Room; add new facilities to, or cancel any existing facilities of, the Prayer Room; or conduct any maintenance of the Prayer Room, without first obtaining the relevant approval of the IACAD and the necessary licences from the Licensing Authority;

4. operate, and provide all the needs of, the Public Prayer Room after it is licensed by the IACAD;

5. provide helpers, through specialised and duly licensed companies, to ensure the provision of cleanliness, maintenance, security, and other services to the Public Prayer Room;

6. obtain the written approval of the IACAD prior to opening the Public Prayer Room; and

7. place, at the entrance of the Public Prayer Room, a sign in the form prescribed by the IACAD.

Religious Activities

Article (7)

The rules and procedures prescribed by Administrative Resolution No. (9) of 2020 apply to licensing the conduct of Religious Activities in Prayer Rooms.

Issuing Implementing Instructions

Article (8)

The Executive Director of the Mosques Affairs Sector of the IACAD will issue the instructions required for the implementation of the provisions of this Resolution.

Repeals

Article (9)

Any provision in any other administrative resolution is hereby repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.

Publication and Commencement

Article (10)

This Resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Hamad Al Shaibani

Director General
Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department

Issued in Dubai on 1 April 2022

Corresponding to 29 Shaban 1443 A.H.

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.