The only early Christian church and monastery in the territory of the United Arab Emirates are open to all comers.
The church and monastery on the island of Sir Bani Yas in the UAE - the only monuments of early Christian culture found in the UAE - have reopened their doors to visitors.
The opening ceremony was held by the Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahayyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. The event was attended by Muhammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Saif Saeed Gobash, Deputy Secretary of DCT, as well as experts in the field of archeology.
The church and monastery on the island of Sir Bani Yas dates from the 7th and 8th centuries AD. This place was first discovered in 1992 during work carried out with the permission of the late Sheikh Zayed.
During excavations, archaeologists discovered the ruins of a monastery settlement. Found artifacts indicate that residents were engaged in cattle breeding and fishing, as well as maintained trade relations in the Persian Gulf and beyond.
Sheikh Nahyan said: “The church and monastery of Sir Bani Yas shed light on our cultural heritage, which we can be proud of. Their existence is a testament to the long-standing values of tolerance on our land. This once again emphasizes the importance of cultural dialogue and cooperation. The excavation site provides evidence of the UAE's openness. to other cultures. "
In 2018, the Department began the development and implementation of a new solution for the protection of archaeological sites, which minimizes any impact on artifacts - rain, heat, sand and birds - and at the same time enriches the experience of sightseeing for visitors.
The protective structure was designed so that it can be expanded in the future if new discoveries are made. The roofing is made of a very durable and breathable material that provides natural light and air circulation. Also, artificial lighting was installed at the excavation site, thanks to which evening tours became possible. In addition, the authorities took care of a new access road to the sights.
