Religious freedom in UAE

The other big topic of conversation amongst our friends has been religion and the freedom to go to a Christian church in Abu Dhabi. A quick google found a thriving Evangalical Christian Church in Abu Dhabi and I have been emailing back and forward with one of the Pastors. A few weeks ago they moved into a new building and I thought this was very interesting.

"The land was granted to us by the rulers of this country, who have been very generous. The old facility was getting way too small for us and this is a very exciting new phase for us as a church," the pastor said.

I also found this on the website for an Anglican church in Abu Dhabi

Worship in a Muslim Country
The St. Andrew's Church Council and members wish to express their gratitude to the Late President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheik Zayed, for his understanding in support of Christian worship in this Islamic country. Through the grants of land to the St. Andrew's community, we have been able to establish a complex at which a number of Christian communities gather for worship.

This is the website of the church we have been corresponding with. I love the photo on their start page, all those nationalities worshipping together! http://www.eccad.org/

I also read online an article about an American couple who got lost on their way to a catholic church. They were approached by an Emirati Muslim man who could see that they were lost. He insisted on driving them, refused compensation and wished them a happy day.

I really have to wonder if we would see the same generosity and tolerance here in Australia. I am excited about being involved in such a big church with so many cultures and different styles of worship.