After interfering with various countries in Middle East and declaring Islamic organizations of Saudi Arabia as terrorists, now United Arab Emirates is working on a draft law according to which memorizing Holy Quran without government’s approval will be illegal. Besides this no religious lectures can be delivered without government’s approval.
As per the new draft law passed by the Federal National Council, fines and jail term will be imposed on anyone holding religious lectures and lessons or memorisation of the Holy Quran gatherings without approval.
The new draft law which was passed on Tuesday also prohibits anyone from appointing a person to work, starting religious libraries and collecting donations or aid, without prior approval from the General Authority of the Islamic Affairs and Endowments. Violators of the new law, will face up to three months in prison or face a fine of up to Dh5,000.
As reported by Khaleej Times, in a meeting presided by FNC speaker, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, the FNC members stressed that only qualified employees must work in mosques, and the bill prohibits any employees from working in mosques, who belong to unlawful groups or organisations, practicing prohibited political or organisational activities, preaching without a license or approval, issues fatwas or teaching the Holy Quran outside mosques.
There is a fine between Dh20,000-Dh50,000 and/or a minimum of three months prison sentence for whoever breaches the security and sanctity of the mosque.
According to Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, if the bill is enforced, those who object the sermon approved by the government will also get 3 months imprisonment.
It must be noted that United Arab Emirates is trying to control religious debates since years. It has declared various Muslim organisations including Ikhwanul Muslimeen as terrorist. According to reports various legislators during the debate stressed the need for strict vigilance over foreign religious scholars who are in contact with UAE citizens on social media. A representative of the Council Sayeed Al-Rameshi said that the government wants to know which UAE national is seeking religious education from whom. We fear that UAE national will get fatawa from foreign scholars, we don’t want them to listen to.
According to another report UAE government will approve those scholars who have worked with US government and want to interpret Islam under western influence. This also includes that ‘moderate Islam’ propaganda which is being propagated by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Memorising Quran without government’s approval would be a crime in UAE
