A decision as to whether places of worship will be allowed to reopen is expected to be made next week.
Religious leaders in Dubai were in talks with police officials on Thursday.
Mosques, churches and temples have been closed to the public since March 16, as part of efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
However, with malls, cinemas and restaurants all now open, religious leaders are expected to get the green light in the coming days.
We are expecting the decision will be made by Sunday or Monday and that capacity will be limited to 30 to 50 per cent
“We were in a Zoom meeting with Dubai Police this morning which went very well, and we are waiting now for confirmation from the government when we can reopen,” said Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of the Gurunanak Darbar Sikh Temple in Jebel Ali.
“We are expecting the decision will be made by Sunday or Monday and that capacity will be limited to 30 to 50 per cent when we do open again.”
Father Reinhold Sahner, parish priest at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Dubai, also attended the meeting and said officials were looking closely at how to manage numbers.
“We don’t know when we will reopen for sure but we will be ready and the police have been really helpful with information,” he said.
“We are looking at introducing a ticketing system so people will have their seat in the church confirmed. They will know then if they should travel here or not.”
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) which manages mosques across the UAE, excluding Dubai, said it has not made a decision yet.
“The decision will be issued by the emergency and crisis management committee and will be announced during one of the media briefings that take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9.30pm,” said an Awqaf representative.
The Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department also confirmed no decision had been made yet.
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Around the UAE during the pandemic - in pictures
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The story in numbers
18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
Race results:
1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min
2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec
3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
