Sir Bani Yas Christian Monastery Opens to Public in Abu Dhabi

The ancient Christian site on Sir Bani Yas Island, discovered in 1992, has been inaugurated and opened to visitors. The church and monastery date to the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Excavations began after the discovery of houses and a perimeter wall, with plaster crosses revealing the church in 1994. Artifacts include glass and ceramic objects indicating trade in the Arabian Gulf. A conservation program is now in place. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi; and Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, along with restorers, archaeologists, media, and Christian church authorities. The minister highlighted the site's significance as a historical heritage of the UAE and noted the support of founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who funded excavations and established the Al Ain Museum. The opening aligns with Abu Dhabi's broader push for inclusive tourism and interfaith dialogue, following the Year of Tolerance in 2019 and Pope Francis's visit.