Grace Thompson
Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates, is an Islamic state with a Muslim majority. However, it is also home to a sizeable Catholic community. Dubai has been described as a haven of religious tolerance, with the city quietly tolerant of other faiths. While there are restrictions on freedom of speech in the UAE, its rulers have ensured that people of different beliefs have a place to worship. This includes St. Mary's Catholic Church, which was built on land donated by Dubai's rulers and is the largest Catholic parish in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic population in Dubai | 350,000+ |
| Catholic population in the UAE | 700,000+ |
| Catholic church in Dubai | St. Mary's Catholic Church |
| Year St. Mary's Catholic Church was founded | 1967 |
| Number of Catholic churches in the UAE | 10 |
| Catholic church in Dubai founded by | Capuchins |
| Catholic church in Dubai managed by | Order of Friars Minor Capuchin |
| Catholic church in Dubai's priest | Fr. Lennie J.A. Connully, OFM Cap |
| Catholic church in Dubai's parishioners | Expatriates (88%) |
| Catholic church in Dubai's mass languages | English, Arabic, Tagalog, French, Konkani, Ukrainian, Urdu, Malayalam, etc. |
| Catholic church in Dubai's activities | Baptism, wedding ceremonies, carnival for blue-collar workers |
| Religious tolerance in Dubai | Yes |
| Religious freedom in Dubai | Yes |
| Religious clothing in Dubai | Allowed |
| Religious material in Dubai | Allowed |
| Spreading Christianity among Muslims in Dubai | Not allowed |
| Conversion from Islam in Dubai | Discouraged |
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What You'll Learn
Dubai's Catholic community
Dubai is an Islamic state in the Arabian Peninsula, and there are few outward signs of any religion other than Islam in the city. However, Dubai is quietly tolerant of other faiths, and its rulers have ensured that people with different beliefs have a place to worship. In 1966, the year oil was discovered in Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the father of Dubai's current ruler, donated a plot of land to a Roman Catholic mission. The city has since grown up around it, and St. Mary's Catholic Church now stands on a busy four-lane road in central Dubai.
St. Mary's Catholic Church is arguably the world's biggest Catholic parish, with over 350,000 parishioners. The majority of parishioners are expatriates, with Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Bangladeshis, and Westerners among the nationalities represented in the congregation. The church has been in existence since 1967 and offers masses in various languages, including English, Arabic, Tagalog, French, and Urdu. During holidays like Christmas, mass attendance can reach 25,000 people. The church also hosts events like the 'Champions Carnival', a day of games and tributes to honour blue-collar workers in Dubai.
While Dubai's Catholic community enjoys religious freedom, there are some restrictions. While Christians are free to worship and wear religious clothing, attempts to spread Christianity among Muslims are not permitted. Customs authorities review imported religious materials and occasionally confiscate them. Conversion from Islam is discouraged, and marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men is forbidden. Despite these restrictions, Dubai's Catholic community continues to grow, with the city providing a safe environment for Catholics from various countries.
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Catholic places of worship
Dubai is an Islamic country with a diverse Christian community. There are over 70 churches in Dubai, including Catholic places of worship. The Catholic community of Dubai was initially served from Bahrain, but in 1965, Father Eusebio Daveri acquired a more convenient area and started preparations for a church. The parish hall was ready in early 1966, and Sheik Rashid laid the foundation stone for the church on 25 May 1966. It was solemnly blessed by Mgr Magliacani on 7 April 1967 and was dedicated to Mother Mary, hence the name St. Mary's Catholic Church. St. Mary's Church is located in Oud Metha, right in the heart of Dubai. It has been in existence since 1967 and continues to embrace the diverse generations of Catholics.
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai hosted the 'Champions Carnival' to honour blue-collar workers with a day of joy, games, and heartfelt tributes. The event celebrated the workers' hard work, sacrifice, and silent contributions to society, with participants from over 40 companies engaging in friendly cricket, football, volleyball, and throwball matches.
Another Catholic place of worship in Dubai is St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, serving those in New Dubai. It was formed in December 2013 and is a Parish Church with an established membership and about 80 groups. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, also known as the Union Church or the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Byzantine rite, is another Catholic place of worship in Dubai. It is the largest Eastern Catholic Church and holds grand celebrations, especially during Easter.
Dubai is known for its religious tolerance, with churches for different Christian communities, ensuring that everyone has a place to connect with their faith.
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Catholic worship in Dubai
Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates, is an Islamic state. However, it is quietly tolerant of other faiths. In 1966, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the father of Dubai's current ruler, donated a piece of land to a Roman Catholic mission. This land is now home to St. Mary's Catholic Church, located in the heart of Dubai. The parish has existed since 1967 and is arguably the world's biggest Catholic parish, with over 350,000 parishioners. The majority of parishioners are expatriates, with Filipinos making up a significant portion.
Masses at St. Mary's Catholic Church are offered in various languages, including English, Arabic, Tagalog, French, Konkani, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Malayalam. The church also provides baptism and wedding ceremonies. Outside the adoration chapel, there is a grotto for lighting candles and a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In addition to St. Mary's Catholic Church, there are several other Catholic churches in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. These include St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sharjah, and St. Paul's Catholic Church in Abu Dhabi.
While Christians in Dubai are free to worship and wear religious clothing, there are some restrictions on religious expression. The importation and sale of religious materials are permitted, but attempts to spread Christianity among Muslims are not allowed. Customs authorities review imported religious materials and may confiscate them. Conversion from Islam is discouraged, and marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men is forbidden.
Despite these restrictions, Dubai has become a haven of religious tolerance for some. Christians from countries like Pakistan and Egypt, where they face violent attacks and discrimination, have found Dubai to be a much safer environment for their faith.
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Catholic symbols in Dubai
Dubai is an Islamic monarchy with crippling restrictions on freedom of speech. However, it is also a cosmopolitan city that is quietly tolerant of other faiths. Rulers have ensured that people with different beliefs have a place to worship.
The Catholic Church in Dubai is a lifeline to Catholic migrants, many of whom live in adverse and difficult situations. St. Mary's Catholic Church, founded in 1967, is the largest Catholic parish in the world, with over 350,000 parishioners. It is located in the heart of Dubai and has become home to Catholics from different countries who have come with their families to work and reside. The parish offers masses in many languages, including English, Arabic, Tagalog, French, Konkani, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Malayalam.
The church was built on land donated by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the father of Dubai's current ruler. The city has since grown around the church, which now stands on a busy four-lane road in central Dubai. The main services are held on Fridays, which is the only day off for many people in Dubai.
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a symbol of religious tolerance in Dubai and a testament to the diverse generations of Catholics who have made the city their home. It is a place where Catholics can gather in prayer, worship, and service, relying on the promise of their faith in the midst of a predominantly Muslim country.
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Catholic services in Dubai
Dubai is a Muslim country with crippling restrictions on freedom of speech. However, it is quietly tolerant of other faiths. Rulers have ensured that people with different beliefs have a place to worship. Dubai is, for some, a haven of religious tolerance.
There are several Catholic churches in Dubai, including:
- St. Mary's Catholic Church, located in the heart of Dubai, is the oldest and largest Roman Catholic church in the world. It was founded in 1967 on land donated by the late UAE prime minister HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, serving those in New Dubai.
- St. Mina Church (Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church), one of the oldest churches in Dubai, established in 1967.
Masses and services are conducted in various languages, including Urdu, English, Malayalam, Hindi, Mandarin, Tamil, Russian, Arabic, Armenian, and Sinhalese.
Dubai's Pakistani Catholic community is headed by Jerry Robert, a 17-year resident of Dubai and a bank security manager. He notes that Dubai offers much better conditions for Christians than Pakistan, where Christians of all denominations suffer violent attacks and church-burnings.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Dubai is quietly tolerant of other faiths.
Yes, there are two Catholic churches in Dubai: St. Mary's Catholic Church and Mary's Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church in Dubai is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Masses are offered in various languages, including English, Arabic, Tagalog, French, and Urdu.
Yes, in 2020, there were nearly 850,000 expatriates in Dubai who identified as Catholics, representing almost 9% of the total population. The majority of Catholics in Dubai are expatriates, with Filipinos and Indians making up a significant portion of the Catholic population.
While Dubai is tolerant of other faiths, the Catholic churches in Dubai do not display Christian symbols outside their structures out of respect for Islamic law and the local people. Catholics are free to practice their faith and attend Mass, but they are not permitted to try to convert others.
