United Arab Emirates

Islam in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the official state religion and shapes much of the country’s legal, social, and cultural life. The UAE is considered one of the more religiously tolerant countries in the Gulf, balancing Islamic values with a multicultural, global society.

1. Population and Sects

  • 76% to 80% of the UAE’s total population (which includes millions of expatriates) are Muslims.
  • Among Emirati citizens (about 11% of the total population), almost 100% are Muslim.
  • Sunni Islam (Maliki and Hanbali schools) is the majority sect.
  • A small but influential Shia Muslim community exists, mostly in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

2. Role of Islam in Society

  • Islamic principles influence the country’s laws, customs, and daily routines.
  • Sharia law is applied mainly in family matters (marriage, divorce, inheritance) and some aspects of criminal law.
  • Civil law governs most business and civil transactions, especially those involving non-Muslims.

3. Mosques and Religious Life
Over 5,000 mosques exist across the UAE. Major mosques include:

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi — one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world.
  • Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai — open to non-Muslim visitors as part of cultural understanding programs.
  • The Adhan (call to prayer) is broadcast publicly five times a day.

4. Ramadan and Islamic Holidays

  • Ramadan is a major event: fasting is legally enforced in public places.
  • Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are national holidays with festive public events.
  • Working hours are reduced during Ramadan for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

5. Islamic Education and Influence

  • Islamic studies are compulsory for Muslim students in all schools.
  • Sharia courts handle Muslim family law.
  • The UAE promotes a moderate form of Islam, rejecting extremism and emphasizing tolerance and coexistence.

6. Religious Tolerance

  • The UAE recognizes the needs of its large non-Muslim population (around 85-90% of the total residents are expatriates).
  • Churches, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and recently even a synagogue and the Abrahamic Family House (2023) in Abu Dhabi reflect this religious openness.
  • Proselytizing Muslims is illegal, and converting from Islam to another religion (apostasy) is discouraged and can have legal and social consequences.

7. Combating Extremism

  • The UAE is very active in countering radical ideologies both domestically and abroad.
  • Institutes like Hedayah (International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism) are based in Abu Dhabi.

8. Zakat and Charity

  • Muslims are encouraged to give Zakat (charity), which is institutionalized through government-supported charities like:
  • Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation.
  • Dubai Charity Association.

9. Sufism and Other Islamic Movements

  • Sufism is present but not widespread or institutionally promoted.
  • Political Islam groups like the Muslim Brotherhood are banned in the UAE.

10. Fun Fact

  • The UAE’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom in practice for other faiths, but Islam remains central to national identity, law, and heritage.
  • The country has hosted Pope Francis (2019)—the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula—marking a milestone in interfaith relations.

United Arab Emirates
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .ue
Country Code: +971