Law No. 12 of 2011 regarding the Establishment and Regulation of
Religious Centres 12 / 2011
Number of Articles: 12
Table of Content
Articles (1-12)
We, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar Deputy,
Having perused the Constitution;
Law No. 8 of 1996 regarding Waqf, and its amending laws;
Emiri Resolution No. 34 of 2009 regarding the organizational structure of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs;
The proposal of the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs;
The bill submitted by the Council of Ministers;
And after seeking the opinion of the Shura Council;
Hereby promulgate the following Law:
Articles
Article 1
In the application of the provisions of this Law, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each, unless the context requires
otherwise:
“Ministry” means the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
“Minister” means the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
“Department” means the competent department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
“Committee” means the Committee for Examining Licence Applications.
“Religious Centres” means Islamic missionary (Da’wa) centres, Holy Quran memorization centres, and the places in which religious activities are
practiced, whether independent or affiliated to houses of worship.
“Religious Activities” means Islamic missionary (Da’wa) and guidance activity; religious lectures, lessons and religious events; distribution of religious
publications, films and audio materials; and the establishment of websites for the religious centres.

Article 2
1. Without prejudice to the provisions of any other law, religious centres may not be established or managed except after obtaining the prior
permission from the Minister or his authorized representative, upon the recommendation of the Committee.
1 . The resolutions of the Minister or his representative in such regard shall be final and irrevocable.

Article 3
1. The personnel in the religious centres may not be permanently or temporarily recruited or appointed except after obtaining permission from the
Department.
1 . Religious activities or fundraising may not be conducted in the religious centres or in the houses of worship, except after obtaining permission from
the Department.

Article 4
Those who are in charge of the management of religious centres or responsible for the disposal of their affairs may not collect or accept any funds on their
behalf or for their benefit,except after obtaining permission from the Minister or his authorized representative, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 5
The Minister shall be entitled to order the permanent or temporary closure of religious centres that violate the provisions of this Law or the resolutions
passed in execution thereof. The Minister may also suspend the personnel from work for a period not exceeding three years or cancel the permission
granted to them according to the requirements of the public interest. The Minister’s resolution in such matter shall be final.

Article 6
1. A committee called “the Committee for Examining Licence Applications”(hereinafter “the Committee”yfVKDOOEHHVWDEOLVKHGLQWKH0LQLVWUDQd
formed as follows:
1 . 1 . Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs – Chairperson
2 . Director of Islamic Missionary and Religious Guidance Department in the Ministry – Member
3 . Representative of the Ministry of Interior – Member
4 . Representative of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning – Member
2 . The Committee shall be responsible for considering licence applications for the establishment and management of religious centres, preparing
recommendations thereon, and submitting them to the Minister.
3 . The term of membership on the Committee shall be three years, renewable for other similar period (s).
4 . A resolution from the Minister shall be passed with respect to naming the Chairperson and members of the Committee, and organizing its work.

Article 7
Without prejudice to any greater penalty provided for by another law, any person convicted of violating the provisions of Articles 2 (1), 3 and 4 of this Law
shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and to a fine of not more than one hundred thousand (100,000) Riyals, or to either
penalty.

Article 8
1. Employees of the Ministry who are authorizedto act as law enforcement officers by a decision from the Attorney-General, in agreement with the
Minister, shall be entitled to seize and prove irregularities committed in violation of the provisions of this Law and the executing resolutions thereof.
1 . Such employees shall have the right to enter religious centres and to access all documents and records.

Article 9

1. Religious centres in existence at the time of the enforcement of this Law shall regulate their conditions to be consistent with the provisions
thereof within six months from the date of its enforcement.
1 . Such term may be extended for a period or other similar periods by a resolution of the Council of Ministers, based upon a proposal from the Minister.

Article 10
The Minister shall pass the necessary resolutions to execute the provisions of this Law.

Article 11
Any provision contrary to the provisions of this Law shall be repealed.

Article 12
All competent authorities, each within its jurisdiction, shall enforce this Law which shall be published in the Official Gazette .

Please do not consider the material presented above Official
Al Meezan – Qatary Legal Portal