On 3 July 2019, La Croix International reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is
considering the construction of 17 new churches and chapels, which would increase the number of churches in the country serving the estimated 1,068,000 Christians (
World Christian Database, accessed April 2019) by 50%. Although this report was apparently based on an
article published by Agenzia Fides on 27 June 2019, no other sources have been found giving clear confirmation. An article published by Gulf News on 19 June 2019 reports that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is developing its
legal framework for the 17 existing churches. A report by The National on 5 February 2019 only mentions that a
Catholic church will be built in Abu Dhabi as a result of the Pope"s visit in February 2019.
Michael Bosch, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "For decades, the lack of church space has been a problem in UAE and thousands of Christians have had to put up with severe overcrowding every week for years. The promised construction of a new Catholic church is in line with the UAE"s effort to promote religious tolerance and can be seen as a positive result of Pope Francis" visit in February 2019, when the Grand Imam of al-Azhar and the head of the Catholic Church signed a document on human brotherhood. Although many observers will say that the UAE is only allowing the construction of a new church to promote its image of being an open and tolerant society, it really does seem that this strict Muslim country is taking steps to create more freedom for its foreign religious minorities. In neighboring Saudi Arabia, which is the UAE"s closest ally both politically and religiously, no church buildings exist at all. Compared to the Saudi kingdom, the UAE are a beacon of hope for Christians. However, amid all the talk of interreligious dialogue and tolerance, one issue in particular is never discussed, namely the total lack of freedom for Muslims who convert to Christianity."
