The UAE Cabinet has introduced Cabinet Resolution No. 172 of 2026, establishing a clear framework of administrative penalties for non-Muslim places of worship that fail to comply with existing federal regulations. Under these new guidelines, authorities are empowered to issue warnings, impose fines, or even temporarily suspend activities for institutions found in breach of their operational mandates. The process is structured to ensure accountability, requiring authorities to document violations and grant the affected institution 15 days to provide a formal response. Should a violation persist or remain unaddressed, the government may mandate specific training for religious officials and staff to ensure they are better aligned with local governance and management standards.

For more severe or repeated infractions, the resolution allows for the dismissal of a worship center’s board, replaced by an interim committee for up to one year to restore proper operations. However, the legislation also prioritizes fairness by granting these institutions the right to file a formal grievance within 15 days of receiving a penalty notice. Authorities are then required to review these objections within a 30-day window, with the final option for institutions to seek legal recourse through the courts if they remain dissatisfied. To ensure transparency, all penalties must be settled within 30 days, and local authorities are tasked with maintaining a comprehensive register of these actions, which will be reported to the Ministry on a quarterly basis.