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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has introduced a detailed penalty framework for non-Muslim houses of worship, outlining 24 regulatory breaches that could attract fines of up to Dh750,000 (approximately KSh 26.25 million).
The Cabinet decision, which came into force on October 14, 2026, sets out how authorities will enforce existing requirements under the 2023 law governing non-Muslim places of worship.
According to The National, the regulations allow authorities to issue warnings, impose financial penalties and suspend licences without first taking cases to court. Penalties increase for repeat violations.
Some of the most serious penalties concern relationships with foreign governments and diplomatic institutions.
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A non-Muslim place of worship that maintains a formal or informal relationship with the official institutions of another country faces a Dh250,000 fine (approximately KSh 8.75 million) for a first offence. The penalty rises to Dh750,000 (approximately KSh 26.25 million) by the third violation.
Receiving donations or grants from outside the UAE, or advertising for such contributions on any platform, including social media, also attracts substantial penalties.
