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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Arab Emirates

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Arab Emirates refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The church's first self-standing meetinghouse in the Middle East was dedicated in Abu Dhabi in 2013.[3] As of 2021, there are four meetinghouses and six congregations.[1] In April 2020, the intent to construct a temple in Dubai was announced.[4]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Arab Emirates
AreaMiddle East/ Africa North
Members1,688 (2022)[1]
Stakes1
Wards5
Branches1
Total Congregations[2]6
Temples
  • 1 Announced

History

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Membership in the United Arab Emirates
YearMembership
1988*42
2005 400
2010 906
2015 1,524
2019 1,699
*includes members of neighboring countries that met in Dubai.
Source: Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: United Arab Emirates, Wendall J. Ashton[1]

The LDS Church formally began holding church services in Dubai in 1982 with the creation of the Dubai Branch, with Joseph B. Platt as its first president.[5] The congregation grew from a small group of less than ten people to a stake organized by Jeffrey R. Holland in 2013.[6] The stake covers four countries. In 2011, more than 60 percent of members in the UAE were Filipino. [7]

Abu Dhabi Stake

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Abu Dhabi (FHC)
 
Dubai
 
Sharjah
 
Al Ain
 
Doha
 
class=notpageimage|
LDS Church buildings in the United Arab Emirates
Yellow = Announced Temple
Purple = Meetinghouse
(FHC)=Family History Center located inside meetinghouse

The Abu Dhabi Stake encompasses the UAE, Qatar, and Oman.[8] As of February 2023, the Abu Dhabi Stake consists of at least seven wards and three branches (potentially others in nearby portions of Saudi Arabia which the LDS Church does not report): five wards and one branch exist in the UAE; 2 wards and a military branch in Doha, Qatar; and a branch in Muscat, Oman. A number of military congregations in this region are not included as part of the stake.[9] Namely:

  • Abu Dhabi 1st Ward
  • Abu Dhabi 2nd Ward (Tagalog)
  • Al Ain Branch
  • Doha 1st Ward
  • Doha 2nd Ward
  • Doha 3rd Branch (Military Base)
  • Dubai 1st Ward (Tagalog)
  • Dubai 2nd Ward
  • Oman Branch
  • Sharjah Ward

Missions

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The UAE is part of the Middle East/North Africa Area, the church's only ecclesiastical area without a mission. Members are encouraged to follow and obey the laws of the land.[10] Proselyting, especially among Muslims, is prohibited in Middle Eastern countries.[8]

Temples

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On April 5, 2020, church president Russell M. Nelson announced that the government of the UAE had invited the church to construct a temple in Dubai.[11][3] On October 26, 2021, David A. Bednar, along with other church leaders, visited the Expo 2020 area where the church announced the temple will be constructed. The temple is expected to serve 8,000 members living in two stakes in the Gulf states and a number of congregations in the Middle East, northern Africa, eastern Europe and western Asia. The property is expected to include a meetinghouse and the temple.[12] As of December 2022, discussions between the LDS Church and local authorities concerning the temple plot and design were still underway.[13]

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Location:
Announced: 		Dubai, United Arab Emirates
5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: United Arab Emirates", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 4 June 2023
  2. ^ Excludes groups meeting separate from wards and branches
  3. ^ a b "Church Announces Plans to Construct a Temple in United Arab Emirates", newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, LDS Church, retrieved 1 May 2021
  4. ^ a b "Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at General Conference: The Church will build its first temple in the Middle East", Newsroom, LDS Church, 5 April 2020
  5. ^ Platt, Joseph B. "Our Oasis of Faith". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
  6. ^ "Elder Holland Dedicates Abu Dhabi Stake Center in Middle East - Church News and Events". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
  7. ^ Brittany Carlile (February 12, 2013), "The Church in the Middle East: Balancing religion and culture", The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University, retrieved September 6, 2021
  8. ^ a b Brittany Carlile (February 12, 2013), "The Church in the Middle East: Balancing religion and culture", The Daily Universe, Brigham Young University, retrieved September 6, 2021
  9. ^ Classic Maps, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, retrieved 1 May 2021
  10. ^ "Members in Middle East Reminded to Obey, Honor, and Sustain Law", LDS Church, retrieved September 14, 2021
  11. ^ Walch, Tad (2020-04-05). "President Nelson announces 8 new temples, including locations in Congo, Dubai and Shanghai". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
  12. ^ "Church Leaders Visit Dubai Temple Area at Expo 2020". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Badam, Ramola Talwar (11 December 2022). "Mormon church plans first Middle East temple near Expo City Dubai". The National News:UAE. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
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