religion-in-dubai-statistics

Tracing the Religious Diversity of Dubai Through Data and Culture

| Last Updated: February 18, 2025
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Key Insights

• Dubai supports coexistence through land provision for non-Islamic cemeteries and covering utilities for religious buildings.
• Islam is the official religion, with 63.3% Sunni, 6.7% Shia, and 4.4% following other branches. Dubai has 2,154 mosques.
• Christians make up 25% of Dubai’s population, with major churches like St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Holy Trinity Church.
• Hinduism makes up 6.2% and Buddhism 3.2% of the population. The Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is the UAE’s only Buddhist temple.
• Diwali (60,000 attendees), Vesak (5,000), and Holi (2,000) attract large public gatherings.
• Limited worship spaces, land acquisition issues, and government restrictions on fundraising pose challenges.
• Ranges from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ($545M) to smaller projects like St. Joseph’s Cathedral ($7M).
• Expected to exceed USD 1 billion by 2035, driven by spiritual travel and strong infrastructure.

Dubai, known for its modern skyline and cultural diversity, reflects the UAE’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for people of all faiths. This vibrant city stands as a symbol of how different cultures and religions can coexist harmoniously.

The UAE government has shown strong support for religious diversity by providing land for non-Islamic cemeteries and crematoria, ensuring that different faiths have spaces for their burial and cremation practices. 

They’ve also implemented laws to protect religious freedom, allowing people of various beliefs to practice openly. On top of that, the government covers utilities for religious buildings, easing the financial burden for different religious communities.

The UAE promotes interfaith understanding through programs that encourage dialogue and respect among religions. They’ve also partnered with the UN to restore Christian churches in Iraq, showing support for religious heritage beyond their borders.

Key Religious Statistics in Dubai

Dubai, known for its skyscrapers and luxury, is also rich in religious diversity. Islam, the official religion, is practiced by 74.5% of the UAE’s population, alongside thriving Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist communities.

Smaller communities like Sikhs and Jews also flourish, with places of worship like the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara and local synagogues. Dubai’s religious tolerance fosters peaceful coexistence among over 200 nationalities, enriching its cultural fabric.

religions-in-dubai-uae-pie-chart

Islam: The Dominant Faith

Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the majority of the population being Muslim. In Dubai and Sharjah, Shia Muslims form a significant part of the community, while the rest of the country has a larger Sunni presence.

As of 2020, about 63.3% of the UAE population identified as Sunni Muslim, 6.7% as Shia Muslim, and 4.4% followed other branches of Islam. Despite these differences, Sunni and Shia Muslims coexist peacefully across the UAE.

population-of-muslim-uae-pie-chart

As of 2021, Dubai is the third city in the UAE with the most mosques, totaling 2,154. Sharjah holds the top spot with 2,813 mosques, followed by Abu Dhabi with 2,305. These numbers reflect the UAE’s dedication to providing spaces for worship across its cities.

One of Dubai’s most famous mosques is the Jumeirah Mosque, known for its beautiful white facade and traditional Fatimid-style architecture. It welcomes non-Muslim visitors with guided tours that promote cultural understanding and showcase Islamic traditions

number-of-mosques-uae-bar-graph

Christianity in Dubai

Christianity is the second-largest religion in Dubai, with Christians making up about 25% of the city’s population. The community is diverse, including Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians. 

Dubai hosts several prominent churches like St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Holy Trinity Church for Protestants, and St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral. 

While exact statistics for each denomination are limited, the presence of these churches reflects the city’s commitment to religious diversity and interfaith harmony.

major-christian-churches-dubai-infographics
ChurchCapacityLocation
St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral10,000Near Indian High School – 11th Street – Oud Metha Rd – Oud Metha
St. Francis of Assisi Church2,600Jebel Ali Village – Dubai
St. Mary’s Catholic Church2, 000247 Oud Metha Rd – Umm Hurair 2
Holy Trinity Church of Protestants1.2508 19dStreet – Umm Hurair 2
Christ Church Jebel Ali1, 30024G7+JPG – Jebel Ali Village – Jebel Ali Freezone
Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai 1, 500Dubai Evangelical Church Center – Jebel Ali Village

Dubai has over 70 Christian churches, with the Holy Trinity Church complex and Christ Church in Jebel Ali hosting 50+ weekly services.

While the city’s two main Catholic churches, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Church, hold 10 to 20 Masses, alongside other regular services from various denominations.

Christianity in Dubai

In the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, Hinduism accounts for about 6.2% of the population, while Buddhism makes up around 3.2%. Both religions are mainly practiced by expatriates, reflecting the country’s diverse population.

Hinduism is followed by South Asian expatriates, while Buddhism is practiced by those from South and Southeast Asia. Dubai’s Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery is the UAE’s only Buddhist temple, serving as a spiritual hub.

main-world-religion-infographics

As of 2025, Hinduism makes up 15.2% of the world’s population, making it the third-largest religion, while Buddhism accounts for 6.6%. 

Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, and most Buddhists live in East and South Asia, with half in China, though only 18% of China’s population is Buddhist.

Christianity is the largest religion globally at 31.1%, followed by Islam at 24.9%. Folk religions, including traditional and indigenous beliefs, represent 5.6% of the world’s population.

In Dubai, Hindu and Buddhist communities celebrate festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Buddha Purnima privately in homes and community centers. 

Diwali is the most widely celebrated, with families lighting diyas and sharing sweets, while Holi and Buddha’s birthday are observed on a smaller scale.

Public celebrations are limited, with few decorations in shops and no large gatherings. However, both communities have access to temples and spaces to practice their rituals and observe festivals within their circles.

hindu-buddhist-festival-attendees-dubai-bar-graph

While many festivals are celebrated privately, some public events in Dubai attract large crowds. Holi at Expo City saw 2,000 attendees, a Vesak celebration drew 5,000 people, and Diwali at Zabeel Park gathered 60,000 participants. 

Challenges on Religious Diversity in Dubai

Religious diversity in Dubai faces challenges, especially with limited worship space. Many congregations struggle with overcrowding, forcing them to reduce service frequency. 

For instance, during Ramadan and Eid, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque hosts over 70,000 worshippers, showing how demand can exceed capacity even in large venues.

Some groups share worship spaces or meet in private homes due to a lack of dedicated facilities. Acquiring land for new places of worship is also difficult, limiting opportunities for expansion.

major-mosque-dubai-infographics
    ChurchCapacityLocation
    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque40,000Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    Grand Bur Dubai Masjid1, 200Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Rulers Court Office – 67 Ali Bin Abi Taleb St – Al Fahidi
    Al Noor Mosque2, 2004 7 St – Al Qusais – Al Qusais 1
    Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque2, 000119 6D St – Al Safa – Al Safa 1
    Al Rahim masjid 1, 300Al Seba St – Al Rahim – Dubai Marina

    Government restrictions also pose challenges for religious communities. Groups often need official permission to raise funds or hold activities outside their designated worship spaces. 

    This can make it difficult to organize community events or expand religious outreach beyond regular services.

    Cost and Consequence of Overcrowding

    Financial barriers add to these challenges, as religious organizations may struggle to secure bank loans to cover the high costs of constructing new facilities. 

    Combined with fundraising restrictions, these financial hurdles can slow down or even halt plans for growth, making it harder for religious communities to meet the needs of their members.

    church-mosque-construction-cost
    Church/MosqueCost of Construction
    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque$545 Million
    BAPS Hindu Mandir$84.2 Million
    Guru Nanak Darbar$20 Million
    Dubai Swaminarayan Mandir$16 Million
    World’s First Floating Mosque $15 Million
    St. Joseph’s Cathedral$ 7 Million
    St. George Orthodox Cathedral$ 7 Million

    Interventions for Religious Freedom in Dubai

    The UAE promotes religious diversity by countering extremism through initiatives like the Sawab Center and protecting religious freedom under its constitution. People can practice their faith as long as it aligns with public policy and morals.

    The UAE also includes religious education in schools, celebrates cultural diversity through events, and supports workplace inclusivity with policies that accommodate religious practices like flexible hours and holidays.

    uae-religious-freedom-score

    In 2023, Freedom House rated the UAE, including Dubai, 2 out of 4 for religious freedom, indicating a moderate level of freedom with some restrictions in place.

    Future Projections for Faith-based Tourism in Dubai

    Dubai’s faith-based tourism is expected to exceed USD 1 billion by 2035, driven by rising spiritual travel and its role as a hub for Muslim pilgrims. Strong infrastructure, cultural diversity, and Halal tourism focus support this growth.

    faith-based-tourism-projection-dubai

    Promoting religious sites, using technology, and offering diverse faith-based experiences will attract more visitors. However, competition from countries like Saudi Arabia and maintaining cultural authenticity remain key challenges.

    References