President issues law regulating conduct of mosque workers

IT DEFINES ACTS PROHIBITED IN PRAYER SPACES AND EID MUSALLAHS WITHOUT A LICENCE

Anew law prohibits people employed in mosques from carrying out any political or organisational activity such as preaching and recitation, giving religious lessons, or running Quran memorisation activities outside mosques.

They are also barred from collecting donations in any form from third parties.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday issued Federal Law No 4 of 2018 concerning the organisational structure of mosques. The law applies to mosques, public and private prayer spaces and Eid musallahs.

On the naming of mosques, the law says that the authority tasked with mosque affairs may, with consent, designate the mosque according to the donor’s wishes. A similar name may not be used for another mosque in the same city unless approved by the local authority.

The law defines a number of acts that are prohibited in mosques, prayer spaces, and Eid musallahs without a licence. They include giving lectures or sermons, organising seminars, conducting Quran memorisation sessions, collecting donations or other aid, appointing or assigning any person on a temporary or permanent basis to hold or organise religious or social events, distribution of books, leaflets, audio and video recordings, I’tikaaf, or bringing food inside the mosque.

The law prohibits begging in mosques or any activity that disrupts the sanctity of mosques and prayer spaces.

Candidates applying for jobs in mosques should be Emiratis of good conduct, with no criminal record in felonies or misdemeanours relating to personal integrity, unless they have been cleared of any charges.

Candidates for employment are also required to pass tests, be medically fit and have all the required academic qualifications, besides being accredited by the government departments concerned.