The Abu Dhabi Community Development Department (ADDC) has announced the establishment of 19 worship houses in the emirate, comprising 17 churches belonging to different Christian denominations and temples for Hindus and Sikhs, as part of its role as the organization of places of worship in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The different sects to stand up to the demands and challenges facing them, foremost of which is the absence of a license for existing places of worship, and the lack of such role as a legal person.

The Executive Director of the Community Participation Sector, Sultan Al Dhahiri, said at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Department in Abu Dhabi that Resolution No. 57 of 2018 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, The Department has been given the mandate to establish the legal framework governing the establishment of places of worship, associations of public interest, clubs and sports institutions, and to supervise their compliance with the applicable standards and regulations in cooperation with the concerned authorities, in addition to setting standards for licensing, On the role of worship.

"The Department is currently working to facilitate and facilitate the licensing of places of worship and the organization of its mechanisms, in order to serve all religions and sects, in order to strengthen the state's status as an oasis of peace and tolerance," he said. Nationals of all other religions shall exercise their rights to practice their religious rites and to meet their religious needs and in accordance with the customs, traditions, regulations and laws of the State.

He added that the aim of the department is to create a decent life for all members of society. The UAE community consists of more than 200 nationalities, and we are keen to make everyone feel that they are part of the fabric of this society and that the state appreciates them by providing them with the possibility of practicing their religious rites. Who wish to live, invest, travel and work in it. Therefore, it is our duty to secure all aspects of life for them to enjoy a quality of life of a high standard and to find all that they can live in stability.

Al-Dhaheri said that during the past period, the Department organized meetings with the partners in the places of worship in Abu Dhabi and the religious leaders from different religions and sects. They were informed of the necessary conditions and policies to be followed in order to enable the 19 houses of worship in the emirate, Most of which have been established for more than 33 years, to obtain licenses to conduct their work, within the framework of the Department's keenness that this role plays a role in promoting the bonds of love and coexistence between different segments of society.

He pointed out that the Department is currently in the process of developing the policy on the building of houses of worship and that the first stage is to license the existing places of worship. The next period will witness the launch of a detailed mechanism for licensing new places of worship. Only one new license is granted to establish a Hindu temple, the foundation of which was laid last April.

Al-Dhaheri stressed that providing the country with a place for practicing its religious rites is a positive thing that serves the society and does not harm culture, customs and traditions.

The head of the Department of Tolerance and National Identity in the Department, Saleh Al-Mazmi, stressed that all activities and activities that take place inside the houses of worship must be authorized, noting that the department will establish mechanisms and conditions to activate self-censorship within the houses of worship. , And to ensure that religious discourse within the houses of worship conforms to the values ​​of peace and tolerance.

- All activities and activities that take place within places of worship must be authorized.

19

House of worship in

Abu Dhabi, most of them

Since more

33 years old.

Sultan Al Dhahiri:

"The UAE community consists of 200 nationalities, and we make sure everyone feels that they are part of its fabric."