Religion in Dubai - an overview of UAE religions

Thanks to the magnificent Burj Khalif Tower and the stunning Dubai Piers, the Arab Emirates have become a center of attraction for the millions of tourists and immigrants who flock to this Middle Eastern country every year. For the same reason, the UAE is also a fusion of different religions, already existing and still developing.

Islam is the main religion practiced in the country. In addition to being the most common religion, Islam is also the official religion in Dubai, UAE. About 76% of the country's population are Muslims. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity are examples of other professed religions. And a small percentage of the population are members of Jainism, Judaism, etc.

Islam in Dubai

The UAE constitution enshrines Islam as the official religion. It was introduced to the Middle East with the discovery of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and spread with the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad in the UAE in 630 CE.

Three-quarters of the population is Muslim, with about four-fifths of the population belonging to the Sunni branch. There are Shia Muslims in Dubai and Sharjah.

Ibadi Muslims are mostly immigrants from Oman, and an overlay of Sufi culture is also evident in UAE religious practices. Sharia law applies to personal matters such as marriage, divorce, etc. Although the criminal code of the UAE is not based entirely on Sharia law, it derives from some parts of it.

In cities such as Abu Dhabi, Sharia law is the basis for settling many disputes. Some aspects of these laws are:

punishments such as flogging and stoning are considered legal and are imposed on both sexes in cases of criminal offenses;
homosexuality is illegal and considered a capital offense;
punishments such as amputation and crucifixion are considered legal;
Although Islamic laws are supposed to be observed only by the Muslim population living in the country, tourists should be especially careful about the country's religious sentiments.

Certain activities, such as public displays of affection, such as kissing, can lead to deportation from the country.

The UAE government does its best to preserve the country's religious heritage by organizing various festivals and events such as the Qasr Al Hosn Festival, the Sheikh Zayd Heritage Festival and the Sultan bin Zayd Heritage Festival.

Recommended Mosques to Visit in the UAE:

Sheikh Zayd Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi;
Bur Dubai (Grand Mosque), Dubai;
Al Farooq Umar bin Khattab (Blue Mosque), Dubai;
Al Rahim, Dubai

Christianity

Christians make up about 13% of the country's population. The population of Christians seems to be growing as immigration to the UAE increases. Both Catholics and Protestants currently inhabit the country. Christians in the UAE belong to a variety of denominations, from Baptists to Anglicans to Copts.

There are about 40 churches, and there is freedom to provide land for Christians to build churches in the country. According to Emirati regulations, in addition to providing land to build churches, they are exempt from water and electricity charges. Public celebrations of major Christian holidays are allowed.

Hinduism and Sikhism in Dubai

Among other religions in Dubai and the UAE, Hinduism has the highest prevalence. Hindus make up about 6-10% of the total population. Hindu businessmen have played an important role in the development of Dubai, and thus a former emir was given the right to build a temple in Bur Dubai. The temples are also visited by Sikhs living in different regions of the country. There is a special Sikh temple in Jebel Ali.

In addition to worshipping in public temples, Hindus and Sikhs also practice their religion in their private homes.

Hindu temples in Dubai: Shiva Temple, 2nd Za'abeel Road, Al Sooq Al Kabeer, Dubai

Gurudwaras in Dubai: Gurunanak Darbar Sikh Temple

Buddhism in the UAE

A close look at the UAE's other religions reveals that the country is not only tolerant, but also welcoming of different religions. Buddhism is another religion with a large representation. There are currently about 300,000 Buddhists living in the country. They have their own temples and places for meditation.

People of all religious backgrounds can enter and soak up the energy of these graceful places. Monks live humbly in the temples, where they preach their teachings to the congregation. People, in turn, can donate food and other gifts to the monks.

Judaism in the UAE

The Jewish community in the UAE is small, but it has its own religious direction. They follow their practice at the synagogue in Dubai, which is a center of attraction for Jews in the midst of a predominantly Islamic country. Visitors can enter and say their prayers.

Thus, the United Arab Emirates is a center of many religions, each of which is tolerated and respected despite the small number of some faith groups.