Islam is the official and majority religion of the United Arab Emirates, practiced by roughly 76% of the population, but the country is also home to one of the most religiously diverse societies in the Arab world thanks to its enormous expatriate workforce. Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and small Jewish and Baha'i communities all worship openly, and the UAE has actively branded itself as a regional model of religious coexistence.
The Religious Makeup of the UAE
The UAE's religious profile is unusual because citizens are a small minority in their own country. Only about 11% of residents are Emirati nationals; the remaining 89% are expatriates drawn from more than 200 nationalities, which is why the religious breakdown looks so different from neighbouring Gulf states. The approximate distribution is:
- Islam: around 76% of the population. Among Muslims, the great majority follow Sunni Islam (historically the Maliki school), with a Shia minority of roughly 15%.
- Christianity: around 9%, largely Filipino, Indian, Arab and Western Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants.
- Hinduism: around 6%, reflecting the very large South Asian, especially Indian, community.
- Buddhism: around 2%, mainly among East and Southeast Asian residents.
- Other faiths and the unaffiliated: the remaining share, including Sikhs, Jews, Baha'is and people of no religion.
Almost all Emirati citizens are Muslim, so the non-Muslim figures are overwhelmingly made up of foreign residents rather than nationals.
A Brief History of Faith in the Region
Islam has shaped this corner of the Arabian Peninsula since the 7th century, when the new faith spread rapidly along the trade routes of the Gulf coast. The tribes of the area that would later become the Trucial States adopted Sunni Islam, and faith remained central to daily life through the pearling and seafaring economies of the following centuries. The 15th-century Al Bidya Mosque in Fujairah, the oldest surviving mosque in the country, is a tangible reminder of how deep these roots run.
When the seven emirates federated to form the United Arab Emirates in 1971, the new constitution named Islam the state religion and Islamic law a principal source of legislation. The discovery of oil then transformed everything: rapid development pulled in millions of foreign workers, and within a single generation the UAE shifted from a small, almost entirely Muslim society to a globalised population where dozens of religions are represented.
Tolerance as National Policy
What distinguishes the UAE is that religious diversity has become a deliberate part of its identity. In 2016 the government created a Ministry of Tolerance, later renamed the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, a post unique among Gulf states. In February 2019 the UAE became the first Gulf country to host a papal visit, welcoming Pope Francis, who celebrated an open-air Mass for well over 100,000 worshippers in Abu Dhabi.
The 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between the UAE and Israel, opened the way for organised Jewish worship and a recognised Jewish community. While Islam remains privileged in law and public life, churches, temples and gurdwaras operate with official sanction, and the state frames this pluralism as a competitive advantage in attracting global talent and investment.
Worship, Customs and Religious Sites
Day-to-day religious life blends tradition with cosmopolitan openness. The five daily Muslim prayers structure the rhythm of the week, the call to prayer sounds from thousands of minarets, and Ramadan is widely observed, with iftar tents that often welcome people of every faith. At the same time, churches hold large weekly services, Hindu temples serve the South Asian community, and licensed venues serve alcohol to non-Muslims.
The country's landmarks capture this dual character:
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi: one of the world's largest mosques, with 82 domes and room for tens of thousands of worshippers. It welcomes millions of visitors a year, including non-Muslims, and offers free guided tours.
- Abrahamic Family House, Saadiyat Island: opened in 2023, it places a mosque, a church and a synagogue side by side in a single complex, designed by architect David Adjaye.
- Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai: one of the few mosques specifically open to non-Muslim visitors for cultural tours.
- BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi: a major stone Hindu temple serving the large Indian community.
- Al Bidya Mosque, Fujairah: the oldest mosque in the country, dating to the 15th century.
In Dubai's historic Al Fahidi district, a mosque, a Hindu temple and a Sikh gurdwara stand within walking distance of one another, a pattern of neighbourly worship that predates the modern state. To learn more about the wider country, see our united-arab-emirates country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official religion of the UAE?
Islam is the official state religion of the United Arab Emirates, enshrined in the constitution. Most Emirati citizens are Sunni Muslims, and Islamic law is a principal source of national legislation.
Can non-Muslims practise their religion in the UAE?
Yes. Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews and others worship openly in churches, temples, gurdwaras and synagogues. The state actively promotes religious tolerance, though proselytising to Muslims and disrespecting Islam remain prohibited.
What percentage of the UAE is Muslim?
About 76% of the total population is Muslim. Because roughly 89% of residents are expatriates, the non-Muslim share is far larger than in most Gulf countries, even though nearly all Emirati citizens are Muslim.
Is there a synagogue in the UAE?
Yes. The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, opened in 2023, includes a synagogue alongside a mosque and a church. It is the first complex of its kind in the region and followed the 2020 Abraham Accords.