Abu Dhabi's Department of Community Development (DCD) has handed over licenses to 18 non-Muslim houses of worship in the emirate at a ceremony held today at the Emirates Palace Hotel under the slogan "Call for harmony".

The Department stressed that as the organizer of the places of worship in Abu Dhabi, it worked to develop legal frameworks, policies and procedures, which ensure the citizens of all religions to practice their religious rites smoothly, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in the UAE, and without prejudice to the originality of the customs and traditions of the UAE. It has met with all those responsible for places of worship, religious symbols of different religions and sects, and they were introduced to the conditions to be met and the policies to be followed, so that the places of worship in the emirate can obtain licenses to practice its work.

The Department pointed out that this step reflects the efforts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to promote the principles of human brotherhood, love and harmony among all segments of society, where the handover of licenses to houses of worship will contribute to enhancing the emirate's reputation at the regional and global levels as a promoter of peace, tolerance and coexistence. The extent of harmony and social integration that has characterized the society of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since its history.

For its part, a number of houses of worship for non-Muslims have been built in green since last Thursday to celebrate the efforts of the Department of Community Development as the organizer of the places of worship in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Representatives of places of worship pointed out that the licensing of places of worship reflects the vision of the wise leadership in the UAE, which keen on giving attention to all citizens of other religions and care, as this humanitarian gesture embodies the eminence of the UAE society and the inherent values ​​it enjoys. Abu Dhabi is a magnet for living and stability, praising the harmony and harmony of the society of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is characterized by religious, cultural and demographic diversity.