Crown prince of Abu Dhabi funds church restoration

Khalil Tawfiq
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-11-23

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan. (Reuters)

In a gesture of religious tolerance, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, has agreed to contribute to the restoration of a Christian church complex in the UAE capital. St. Andrew’s compound incorporates buildings of the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant faiths, schools, meeting halls, theatres and accommodations for clergy.

Christians living in Abu Dhabi collected around two million dirhams to restore the complex of buildings erected in 1970 with the support of late UAE President Sheikh Zayed. The full cost of restoration, however, is expected to exceed ten million dirhams. Sheikh Mohammed decided to fund the difference. In so doing, he follows in the footsteps of his father, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, who donated the land for the complex and contributed to the construction costs.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Father Clive Windebank said that the gesture “shows how the country’s leadership is not only tolerant, but respectful, accepting and supportive of Christians in the community.” Father Windebank wrote Sheikh Mohammed in July, through the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, requesting assistance towards the restoration. He did not have to wait long for an affirmative response.

The UAE’s liberal policy towards its Christian minorities is evident in the proliferation of church buildings and convent schools throughout the country. A branch of the Jesuit St. Joseph’s University in Beirut has also been established in Dubai.

The UAE is also noted for fostering inter-faith dialogue, most recently in the form of a conference organised by the Media Affairs Centre in Abu Dhabi in May 2008. The conference considered the Vatican’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence throughout the world and examined religious tolerance in the UAE. It was attended by Christian and Muslim clergymen, theologians and divinity scholars.

Last Christmas, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Centre hosted the St. Joseph’s Church Drama Group, which performed a scene inspired by the Nativity. Many observers viewed the event as a major turning point in the UAE’s attitude towards its Christian communities. Previously, such an activity outside church grounds would have been deemed a form of proselytising and, therefore, unacceptable.

Sources:

Bookmarking

Please comment on this article so that we can improve the experience of viewing this website.