Abu Dhabi church pays tribute to Zayed on 50th anniversary

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan attends the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Andrews Church in Abu Dhabi.- Photo by Ryan Lim

An oasis of peace, a refuge, a home away from home, an institution for life: St. Andrew's Church has been all of this and more to the Abu Dhabi Christian community, its long-time members recalled as the Anglican church celebrated its 50th anniversary on Wednesday.
Jose Bernado Gomes, 62, who worked as a parish clerk for 32 years from 1980 to 2012 at the church, said he was "beyond happy."
"It is a very special moment for me. This church has been my life and existence since I arrived in the UAE in 1979," Gomes told Khaleej Times. He left the UAE in 2012, but was specially invited by the church for the anniversary ceremony.
"I used to work in the church when it was on the corniche first, and then moved to this new building in Muroor. I used to do everything from running errands to taking care of the paper work. Today, I see a lot of old faces. It is like a homecoming to me," said Gomes, who is married with three grown-up children. He currently lives in Goa, India, with his family.
Addressing the attendees, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, said: "You have been a shining example of  tolerance and selfless service to the community. It is always humbling to see someone walk the talk.
"You stand for your fellow men. You have chosen to share your facility with members of other congregations rather than keep it for your sole use and convenience.
"Your generosity in sharing your church building and gardens for others is a great example of tolerance and key values that have made the UAE one of the most peaceful and prosperous places on earth."
More than 50 congregations catering to different nationalities including Ethiopians, Koreans, Pakistanis, Indians, Nepalese and Western expats worship at the church.
A new church - All Saints Anglican Church - is under construction in Musaffah, and once complete, it will be the biggest Anglican church in the Middle East.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com