Dubai is known as an Islamic country but is very tolerant of other religions. A church was built 20 years ago next to a mosque with little debate. While there was a small conflict in 2011, the government was supportive of erecting a statue of St. Mary at the church's opening. In 1966 there was debate over the church's construction, but the ruler donated bells to signify his approval. The church bells now ring during mass, sometimes coinciding with calls to prayer, creating a feeling of unity between the religions. Both the mosque and adjacent church-run school encourage cooperation between their students to promote harmony.

1. RELIGION, TOLERANCE AND
HARMONY IN DUBAI
By Fatima Idris

2. A Church and a Mosque
Dubai, widely known as an Islamic country, is very tolerant towards
other religions of the world. The church was commissioned to be built
next to the mosque 20 years ago, with very little debate. Even though
there was a small conflict in 2011.

3. Statue of St. Mary
During the opening of the Church, a statue of the Virgin Mary was
erected. “The Dubai Government were very supportive” One of the
Clergymen said.

4. Bells of the Church
In 1966 there was still a lot of debate over the church being built
next to the Mosque . The ruler of Dubai at the time stamped his
approval by donating bells to the Church.

5. The Church bells at St. Mary’s church chimes every time a mass is
about begin, and it sometimes coincides with the prayer times at
the Mosque. “It gives such a beautiful feeling of unity to both
religions” Rita, a regular church goer said.

6. The Mosque, which is regularly filled with worshippers stands over
20ft tall next to the Church and is under reconstruction. With a
school for boys in the same land as the mosque, the sounds of
young children can be heard all around.

7. Serenity and Love
The Church also has a school for the girls where both the Christian
and Muslim societies encourage activities among the girls from the
church school and the girls from the female section Islamic school
not far from the mosque.

8. The School for boys
The school for boys owned by the mosque is run effectively by well
trained educators and they are taught English and Arabic. “The students
are very well behaved and we have had only one fight between one
student and a student from the church school, that was a very long time
ago” A teacher at the school said.

9. Philip, an Ex-Pat from India comes to the church everyday to adore
the image of St. Mary in the Church. He has made many friends
from the mosque as he comes very often to this part of Dubai.

10. Even though both communities have little problems with each other
every now and then, everything is usually settled. “The idea of moving
either the church or mosque away from the site has come up before, but
everyone agreed there was no need for such an action.” Another
Clergyman said.

11. Harmony
The Church and the Mosque support each other in any way possible
and they encourage activities that can bring them together to avoid any
kind of conflict. A joint bakery was opened by both Communities to
assist the worshippers early last year and is still a thriving business.