United Arab Emirates (UAE)--Christian Persecution in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Middle East: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Country Report Last Updated: February 2003 Code: Not Rated (Click here for a code description.)
	(Click here for a list of ICC articles on United Arab Emirates (UAE).) List of Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2003

Religious Atmosphere: Although there are some non-Muslims such as Christians, virtually all Emiris and the majority of foreigners living in this country are Muslim.

• No extremist groups have been cited for incidents of persecution in this country.

• Islam is the state religion.
• Non-Muslims may not proselytize publicly or distribute religious literature.
• Only a small number of Christian denominations are officially recognized. Other denominations may meet, but they must share facilities with the official churches.
• Naturalization of new citizens is limited to Sunni Muslims.

Recent Actions:

• February 16, 2003 - Rev. Alconga appeared in court. The Egyptian man who filed the complaint against Alconga testified that he had not been pressured to take Christian materials from the pastor. Another hearing was scheduled for March 2. (Middle East Concern)
     
• January 19, 2003 - A scheduled hearing in the case of Filipino pastor Fernando Alconga was postponed
      
• December 17, 2002 - Rev. Fernando Alconga was temporarily released from prison pending further investigation into his case. According to Compass Direct news agency, Articles 320 and 322 of the UAE penal code call for a minimum of one year imprisonment and a 1,000 dirham fine for anyone found guilty of possessing "propaganda" for faiths other than Islam, provided there is an intent to distribute said materials. (Compass Direct)
       
• December 1, 2002 - At a hearing of his case Rev. Fernando Alconga was not allowed legal counsel or a translator. It was also reported that he was forced to sign documents in Arabic, a language he does not understand. (Middle East Concern)
       
• November 12, 2002 - Filipino pastor Fernando Alconga was arrested by two members of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) outside of the Al Bustan Center in Al Qusais, Dubai. Rev. Alconga was asleep in his car at the Al Bustan Center in Al Qusais, Dubai when he was approached by two men requesting Christian materials in Arabic. The previous day Rev. Alconga had given a package of information called "The God Story" to an Egyptian Arab outside of the same building. After being informed that he had no materials in Arabic, the men requested that Rev. Alconga show them his supply of materials in other languages, which he did. At that point the men identified themselves as CID agents and arrested Rev. Alconga for distributing Christian materials, which included cassette tapes, tracts, and New Testaments. (Middle East Concern)
     
• April 9, 2001 – Three Americans being held in a hotel in Dubai since March 12 arrived back in the US. Two of the three missionaries were college students from Georgia. The other was a staff member of Frontiers Ministries. For security reasons, names are not being released.
       
• March 21, 2001 – The BBC reported that three American missionaries have been detained in Dubai for distributing Christian videos and CDs. A fourth person was later arrested for helping to arrange visas for the missionaries. Though Christian churches are allowed to function openly in the U.A.E., proselytism is illegal.

Prisoners: ICC is not aware of any Christians being held for their religious beliefs at this time.

• Pray for the Christians of the United Arab Emirates that they may continue to be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.
• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

POSTED:  February 20, 2003

ICC Articles on United Arab Emirates (UAE):

• January 2003 - Prayer - Belarus, India, Nigeria, North Korea, United Arab Emirates
• December 16, 2002 - News - Press Release - Filipino Pastor Imprisoned in United Arab Emirates, UPDATE:  As of December 18, 2002, ICC has received word that Rev. Alconga was released from prison on December 17. His current status is unknown as there still appear to be charges against him.