Hundreds of worshippers will soon be be able to visit the long-awaited new Church of South India which is nearing completion in Abu Dhabi.
The winged exterior of the peach and sandstone structure is preparing to welcome the Protestant faithful from across the Emirates.
The community of parishioners from southern India have been waiting for their own space to worship for more than four decades.
“We have been here for 43 years and this is our dream come true to have our own church,” parish priest, Lalji M Philip, told The National.
“The construction is almost done.
“We are very thankful to the UAE government for giving us this land for a church.
“We are not a very big community and are very grateful for the chance to have our own space.”
People have been worshipping every Friday evening at St Andrew’s Church in Abu Dhabi since 1979.
Construction began in September 2020 on the steel and cement structure, which is awaiting electricity and water connections from local authorities.
Chandeliers will be fitted in the central skylight, wooden pews and an organ will soon be added, and a multi-purpose room has been built on the ground floor.
The building will hold about 750 people, with an upper balcony section overlooking the main prayer area on the ground floor.
While the 5,000-strong community is small in the UAE, it is the second-biggest group in India after the Roman Catholic church.
Based in Abu Dhabi’s Al Shahama area, the plot is near an under-construction Hindu temple off the busy Sheikh Zayed Road highway which links Abu Dhabi with Dubai.
One of the large church windows will have a view of the temple in the adjoining area.
Both holy places are symbols of religious freedom in a country that prides itself on being open to diverse faith and cultures.
The involvement of the local community is evident in the planning of the church, which cost about Dh10.8 million.
Ten tall windows have been fitted with stained glass that depict scenes from the Old and New Testament in warm, vivid colours.
The designs feature Noah’s Ark and the Ten Commandments on one side of the hall, and the birth of Jesus on the other.
A close-knit group of church members are part of the project management team and provided the design and theme for the stained-glass windows.
They visited a workshop in Abu Dhabi’s Musaffah area regularly to check on the progress of the panels.
Architect Maher Lamie spoke of the community spirit that galvanised the project.
“The angel’s wings on an elevation outside - it’s as if the angels are taking care of the church. They feel like guardians of the church,” said the Egyptian, who has constructed mosques, churches and towers in the UAE.
“It is a simple octagonal structure from the outside. But on the inside, it is circular, with the idea being to signify a continuous space, one where there is no end.”
Land for the church was granted by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Fr Philip said the church would be open to all in keeping with the UAE’s policy of tolerance.
“We pray that whosoever visits the church will find peace, serenity and all the blessings of God,” he said.
“No matter which community or religion visits here, we pray it is a place of blessing to all those who come.
“Prayer is the backbone of the community."
The church will have a choir of 50 parishioners, who will welcome people from across the emirates for Sunday prayers.
FIGHT%20CARD
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Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
The UAE's journey to space
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20Profile
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The years Ramadan fell in May
Background: Chemical Weapons
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
