Abu Dhabi Welcomes 'Guardian Angel' Indian Protestant Church Opening Tomorrow

Post by : Elena Malik

After decades of anticipation, a long-awaited Protestant church tailored to the UAE's South Indian community is set to open its doors this Sunday. The Church of South India in Abu Dhabi marks a significant milestone for its parishioners, whose numbers have swelled from a mere 50 individuals in 1979 to over 5,000 across the nation today.

Designed with a distinctive octagon shape, the church stands proudly in Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikha area, adjacent to the Baps Hindu temple. The exterior, adorned with wing-like structures, symbolizes a guardian angel theme, reflecting the protection and love believers attribute to God. Reverend Lalji M Philip, the vicar of the CSI parish, emphasized the church's commitment to the UAE's message of tolerance, stating that it will be open to people of all faiths and religions for prayer and visitation.

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The church's inauguration will commence with a soft opening ceremony at 3:15 PM on Sunday, featuring a three-hour dedication service led by Bishop Malayil Sabu Cherian. Attendees will gather outside the church, encircling it in prayer before entering for the service. The event will also include representatives from various faiths, including the neighboring Baps temple and members of Abu Dhabi's Department of Community Development.

As final preparations are underway, the interior of the church reveals exquisite craftsmanship, with beech wood and stained glasswork depicting scenes from the Bible. The building boasts a balcony section overlooking the main prayer area, adorned with crystal chandeliers illuminating the central spaces.

While the South Indian community in the UAE may be relatively small, it holds significant importance, ranking as the second-largest church group in India after the Roman Catholic Church. The church's construction, costing approximately Dh11 million, spanned four years, navigating delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure approvals.

For founding members like Joseph Jebu, who attended the inaugural service in 1979, the church's completion is nothing short of a dream realized. Despite returning to Kerala last year, Jebu has returned to Abu Dhabi to partake in the inaugural service, underscoring the sense of familial unity within the community.

The church's establishment is made possible by the generosity of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who granted the land for its construction. This landmark addition to Abu Dhabi's religious landscape complements the Baps Hindu temple, reflecting the UAE's ethos of harmony and coexistence among diverse faiths.

As Rev. Philip aptly describes, the coexistence of a Christian Protestant church and a Hindu temple within the same district embodies the UAE's vision, where people of different beliefs converge in mutual respect and understanding.

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