Dubai
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Arabic is the national and official language of the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf dialect of Arabic is spoken
natively by the Emirati people. English is used as a second language. Other languages spoken in Dubai, due to
immigration, are Urdu, Hindi, Persian, Bengali, Malayalam, Tulu,[27] Tamil, Kannada, Sinhala, Marathi, Telugu,
Tagalog and Chinese, in addition to many other languages.
Religion
See also: Islam in the United Arab Emirates and Religion in the United Arab
Emirates
Jumeirah Mosque
Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state
religion of the UAE. The government subsidises almost 95% of mosques and
employs all Imams; approximately 5% of mosques are entirely private, and
several large mosques have large private endowments.[28] All mosques in
Dubai are managed by the Government of Dubai, and all Imams are also
appointed by the Government. Any Imam caught preaching racial or religious
hatred or caught promoting Islamic extremism is usually jailed and
deported.[29]
Dubai also has large Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Bahá'í, Buddhist and other
religious communities residing in the city.[30] Non-Muslim groups can own their own houses of worship, where they
can practice their religion freely, by requesting a land grant and permission to build a compound. Groups that do not
have their own buildings must use the facilities of other religious organisations or worship in private homes.
Non-Muslim religious groups are permitted to advertise group functions openly and distribute various religious
literature; however, outright proselytising is strictly prohibited under penalty of criminal prosecution, imprisonment,
and deportation for engaging in behaviour offensive to Islam. Strict prohibition extends to small Muslim groups such
as the Ahmadiyya.