As a result of this, a new regulation has been implemented in the UAE where no unlicensed digital platforms are allowed to teach the holy Quran. In the Emirates, one cannot open or run any center or teach the Quran without having a license from the relevant authorities.
As a result, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat provided an advisory to the citizens and residents of the UAE on Sunday (June 2) stating the risks associated with unauthorized digital platforms that offer Quran-teaching services. Islamic Affairs argued the necessity of checking and preventing the inaccuracy and inappropriateness of religious education for the sake of the younger generation.
Most people, in this sector, are fraudsters who have never had any religious education to teach others regarding the Quran. This can result in wrong teachings, distorted interpretation of the holy book, and maybe even distortions in the teaching of Islam and its principles.
The authority has observed several unauthorized persons teaching classes, offering attractive advertisements to people, and the parents have been advised to be on alert. This is due to the encouragement of parents to follow up and report any unqualified teaching practitioners or unlicensed religious education to the relevant authorities.
Hiring unaccredited individuals to offer religious education is unlawful since both the educator and the parents will face severe consequences. On the legal side, state laws provide that anyone engaging in religious education activities without a license is committing a serious offense not to be joked with.
Penalizations Let me immediately state that the unauthorized teaching of the Quran in the UAE is unlawful and attracts imprisonment of not less than two months and a fine not over Dh50,000, or either of the penalties depending on the provisions of the law. The imposition of the penalties in the law shall not preclude any more severe penalty that may be provided for under any other law.
Conditions for teaching Individuals licensed to teach shall fulfill the following conditions:
- They shall not be less than (21) years old
- They shall be of good conduct
- They shall not have previously been sentenced to a freedom-restricting penalty for a felony or misdemeanor that violates honor or trust unless they have been rehabilitated
- The health fitness thereof for the work to be performed thereby shall be proven
- Applicants to manage a center shall have the necessary practical experience; while the appropriate qualifications shall be available to those who wish to teach or manage
- They shall pass the test and personal interview
- They shall obtain the approval of the competent authorities to work in case of not being sponsored by the center in which they shall work.
In order to establish a center or any branch for the purpose of teaching the Quran, the following conditions shall be met:
- Obtaining a license in accordance with the law
- The building shall fulfill the following requirements:
- Fulfilling the technical and health requirements specified by the executive regulations of this law
- Establishing fully separated gender classrooms
- Providing halls and arenas for practicing the activities specified by the executive regulations of this law
- Fulfilling the necessary equipment to carry out the licensed activity, as specified by the executive regulations of this law.
