Dubai church to celebrate 50 years of congregation

Dubai - Mar Thoma Church was founded with a small congregation of 57 members in 1969.

As the nation is all set to celebrate the International Day of Tolerance, a church in Dubai is celebrating the 50th year of beginning its congregation here in the UAE.
The Mar Thoma Church in Jebel Ali, founded in 1969, is kick-starting a year-long golden jubilee celebration of the congregation this weekend (Friday, November 16).
The congregation that began with a small group of 57 members has grown exponentially. The parish is now home to 2,400 families as members.
"The 50th-anniversary celebration will be inaugurated on Friday at 4 pm, at the Mar Thoma Church in Jebel Ali. Celebrations with coincide with the International Day of Tolerance, falling on the same day," Vicar - Reverend Siju Cherian Philip told Khaleej Times. 
Varughese Thomas, parish secretary and general convener of the golden jubilee committee said, "Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, will be the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony, which will be attended by Most Reverend Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan and Right Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopal, Diocesan Bishop."

• Dubai