Worship places in Abu Dhabi

One reason why the UAE is special is its society! UAE society is known for its diverse nationalities and ethnic groups, where more than 200 nationalities from different religions choose the UAE as their new home. This diversity in the UAE population by citizenship has been an example of being a tolerant and inclusive country since UAE people have set the best model of living peacefully and successfully in one country. Moving to religions and worships, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, houses many worships allowing each community to stay true to its cultural and religious roots, especially since Abu Dhabi is one of the safest cities in the world. Read on to find out the most famous worships in Abu Dhabi that belong to different religions.   

Worship places in Abu Dhabi 

Besides mosques such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the UAE has 40 churches, two Hindu temples, one Sikh temple, and one Buddhist temple that allows worshippers to pray and visitors to explore other cultures and religions. Below is a list of Abu Dhabi worships that includes 1 Hindu Mandir and 17 churches, 11 in Abu Dhabi, and 7 in Al Ain.     

BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi 

Since Indians are one of the largest residential hubs in Abu Dhabi, Hindu expats make a great proportion of Abu Dhabi population. Therefore, in 2019 UAE permitted the construction of the very first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi! A Mandir is a Hindu place of worship that connects man with God, and the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi, the magnificent traditional temple, is likely to be completed by 2023. BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi is built on 55,000 sq.m of land, and it will include the following facilities to meet the needs of the UAE community: 

• Visitor’s center  

• Prayer Halls  

• Exhibitions  

• Learning facilities  

• Play areas for children and youth  

• Garden and water features  

• Vegetarian food court  

• Book and gift shop  

Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi's design is inspired by Hindu temples across the globe, and it will be constructed using the pink sandstone from Rajasthan that can withstand temperatures as high as 50°C. 

• Location: Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai–Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway 

St Joseph’s Cathedral 

St Joseph’s Cathedral was founded on 19 March 1981 and opened in 1983, and the inauguration of the new complex took place on 25 February 1983, in the presence of Sheikh Shakbut.  

• Location: near the intersection of Airport Road (Street 2) and Seventeenth Street.  

• Working hours: 09:00 am – 08:00 pm (Wednesday – Monday)  

• Contact number: 02 446 1929 

St Andrew’s Church 

St Andrew's in Abu Dhabi was built on land donated by the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and consecrated in 1984. Today St Andrews serves not only its own congregation but also a growing number of guest congregations from mainline protestant denominations, in many languages and styles of worship. 

• Location: 22 Al Barq Street, Al Mushrif Area, Next to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Mosque 

• Working hours: Always open  

• Contact number: 02 446 1631 

Brethren Church Centre 

The Brethren Church Centre was opened in 2011, it caters to the community of Brethren Christian Assembly members in the UAE.  

• Location: Musaffah - Musaffah Industrial 

• Working hours: 09:00 am - 06:00 pm (Daily)  

• Contact number: 02 555 7752 

Other churches in Abu Dhabi:  

• The Evangelical Church 

• St Paul’s Church 

• The Armenian Church 

• St Antony’s Cathedral 

• The Armenian Church 

• Mar Thoma Church 

• St George Orthodox Cathedral 

• Prophet Elias Cathedral 

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

• Brethren Church Centre 

While the churches in al Ain include: 

• St George’s Church 

• Mar Thoma Church 

• St Mary’s and St Shenoudah Coptic Orthodox Church 

• St Dionysisus Orthodox Church 

• St Mary’s Catholic Church 

• Al Ain Evangelical Church 

• Al ain faith home