“Christianity in the United Arab Emirates: Culture & Heritage” is a testimony of thankfulness to the UAE government for its hospitality and friendship with Christians from all over the world. The narrative provides a rare insight into the people of the United Arab Emirates whose religious tolerance has allowed other religions to prosper in this Islamic country. It also commemorates the bridge builders – those special people from both the Christian and the Islamic communities who were outstanding in their relationships with one another. This cursory overview of the history of Christianity in the UAE, serves as a useful introduction to the fruitful partnership between two Abrahamic faiths in a Gulf Arab country.
The launch of the book in November 2011 was marked by a reception hosted by the UK Ambassador for HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, with religious leaders and scholars and a number of members of the British and Emirati community. Among the special guests were Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Syed Ali Al Hashemi, Spiritual Adviser to Shaikh Khalifa.
At the launch, UK Ambassador Dominic Jermey said: “Andy Thompson’s book is a wonderful celebration of Christian Churches in the UAE. As Ambassador of the United Kingdom, a country very proud of its multi faith heritage and identity, I am delighted to support this work. The UAE’s warmth towards Christianity and many other faiths is a wonderful legacy of [His Highness] Shaikh Zayed’s advocacy of an open and tolerant society.”
Christianity in the United Arab Emirates: Culture & Heritage is available in the UAE from St Andrew’s Church, Abu Dhabi and the Bible Society Bookshops in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is also available online through BooksArabia.com (Motivate Publishing). Publication and printing of “Christianity in the UAE” was funded by a donation from St Andrew’s Church and all royalties from the sale of “Christianity in the UAE” will go towards the St Andrew’s Building Project.
