Christianity is practiced freely by roughly 12.9% of the population in the United Arab Emirates, mostly consisting of foreign expatriates and migrant workers.
Demographics and Denominations
- Population share: Christians make up about 12.6% to 13% of the total UAE population.
- Expatriate majority: Nearly all Christians in the country are foreign nationals from South Asia, the Philippines, Europe, and Arab countries.
- Recognized groups: The government officially recognizes multiple Christian branches, including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and various Protestant denominations.
Places of Worship and Rights
- Freedom to worship: Christians may attend services, pray openly in designated compounds, and wear religious clothing.
- Church buildings: Local rulers across the emirates have historically donated land to construct church complexes. There are around 40 official churches and hundreds of registered ministries.
- Public visibility: Displays of crosses and religious symbols on the exterior of buildings must be discreet and generally cannot face directly onto public streets.
Legal Restrictions and Limits
- No proselytizing: Sharing the Christian faith with Muslims or attempting to convert others is strictly illegal.
- Conversion from Islam: Renouncing or converting from Islam is forbidden under local law, and citizens who convert face severe social, legal, and familial pressures.
- Importation rules: Bringing in personal Bibles and Christian materials is allowed for private use, but customs authorities screen shipments and prohibit mass distribution or missionary literature.
Links for further overview of United Aab Emirates:
Stichting HEALING THE NATIONS 