This study addresses an important issue of concern to many, particularly non-Muslim citizens and residents of the United Arab Emirates, as it touches on a vital aspect of their lives, personal affairs, and social values in relation to personal status matters such as marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody, lineage, and other related issues.
The study highlights the UAE’s efforts to promote tolerance and uphold justice, particularly within the judicial sphere, by enabling non-Muslims to litigate in accordance with their own legal provisions. This contributes to cultural, civilisational, and economic coexistence with others, and reflects the UAE’s standing as a model for the region and an example of moderation and respect for religions.
The study aims to clarify the legal provisions governing litigants in personal status cases involving non-Muslims in the United Arab Emirates, whether citizens or residents, as well as the issues arising in contemporary practice. It also reviews the governing laws and identifies the law applicable to such disputes in light of differences among national legal systems.
The study also seeks to survey the principal communities present in the UAE, including Christians and Hindus, together with the personal status rules specific to each.