Dubai’s Community Development Authority has directed religious institutions across the emirate to close their doors, with a Sikh gurudwara, a Hindu temple, and multiple Christian churches among those affected as of Friday.
Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara Dubai, said the closure order came directly from authorities. “We got instructions from the Community Development Authority in Dubai to close the Gurudwara,” he said. “As a precautionary measure for security reasons, CDA has asked us to close.”
The Hindu Temple Dubai issued a notice to its congregation carrying the same message. “The Hindu Temple Dubai will remain closed until further notice for safety and security reasons,” the statement read. Its management asked devotees for their understanding while expressing prayers for everyone’s well-being.
The timing coincided with Good Friday, one of the most significant dates in the Christian calendar. Several churches across Dubai called off in-person services, with some congregations shifting to online livestreams and others simply asking worshippers to pray from home.
Not everyone received the word in time. At a number of churches, devotees arrived to find gates shut — some were seen offering prayers from outside.
No specific threat or incident has been publicly cited as the reason behind the closures.
