Dubai

Dubai or Dubayy (in {{ll|Arabic}}: دبيّ, IPA {{IPA|/ðʊ-'bɪ/}}, generally {{IPA|/dʊ-'baɪ/}} in {{ll|English}}) refers to either

Language and religion

The official language is Arabic, but English and Hindi are also widely spoken, along with Persian, Urdu, Malayalam, and Tagalog.

Related Topics:
English - Hindi - Persian - Urdu - Malayalam - Tagalog

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Islam is the official religion of all of the emirates. A vast majority of the people are Sunnis. There are foreign minority Hindus and Christians as well. Dubai is the only emirate that has Hindu temples.

Related Topics:
Islam - Religion - Sunni - Hindus - Christian

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The Meena Bazaar area of the city has both a Shiva and Krishna temple. Both are believed to be sanctioned by the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Related Topics:
Shiva - Krishna

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There is an electric crematorium run by a group of Indian expatriates.

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Non-Muslims in the country are free to practice their religion but may not proselytize publicly or distribute religious literature. The government follows a policy of tolerance towards non-Muslim religions and, in practice, interferes very little in the religious activities of non-Muslims.

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In early 2001, ground was broken for the construction of several churches on a parcel of land in Jebel Ali donated by the government of Dubai for four Protestant congregations and a Catholic congregation. In May 2001, the Crown Prince of Dubai authorised the construction of a Greek Orthodox church on donated land.

Related Topics:
Jebel Ali - Protestant - Catholic - Greek Orthodox

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Apart from donated land for the construction of churches and other religious facilities, including cemeteries, non-Muslim groups are not supported financially or subsidized by the government. However, they are permitted to raise money from among their congregants and to receive financial support from abroad. Christian churches are permitted to openly advertise certain church functions, such as memorial services, in the press.

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