Abu Dhabi: Dubai is all ready to grant golden visas to imams, preachers and muezzins to those who have completed more than 20 years of service in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai Media Office (DMO) reported.
According to directives from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, they will also be offered a financial bonus.
Dubai government took this step as a gratitude for their efforts in presenting the teachings of Islam and circulating the values of tolerance, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Dubai Crown prince Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed thanked imams of mosques, preachers and muezzins, highlighting the role in society is appreciated and respected.
UAE’s golden visa
The UAE government created the golden visa in 2019, which permits foreigners to live, work and study in the nation without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 percent ownership of their business on the UAE mainland.
Dubai is issuing these visas for 5 or 10 years, and then they will automatically be renewed.
The visa is open to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents and investigators in many disciplines of technology and knowledge, as well as extraordinary students.
حمدان بن محمد يوجه الشكر لأئمة المساجد والخطباء والمؤذنين، مؤكداً أن دورهم المحوري في المجتمع هو محل كل تقدير واحترام، داعياً إياهم لمواصلة العطاء من أجل تعريف المجتمع بصحيح الدين ونشر ما يدعو له من قيم سامية تسهم في رفعة المجتمع، متمنياً لهم جميعا التوفيق في رسالتهم السامية.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 30, 2022
“This is indeed a kind gesture from our leader for those who are serving the religion and raising the society’s spirituality,” said Sheikh Ayaz Housee, Resident imam of Next Generation School and Khateeb at Al Manar Center.
Sheikh Abdul Hameed Zafar has been in the UAE since 1984 and started working as an imam in 2008. He currently leads the congregation at a mosque in International City. “This is very encouraging news for people like us,” he said. “It feels great to be recognised for the kind of work we are doing. Also, we always have a worry in the back of our minds about what we will do after our retirement. This move allays our fears and gives us the confidence to call the UAE our forever home.
I am looking forward to completing 20 years as imam and getting my Golden Visa.”