About Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.):
Founded in the early 18th century as a pearling and fishing settlement, Dubai became a regional trade hub in the 20th century after declaring itself a free port (1901) and, in 1961, extending Dubai Creek (Arabic: خُوْر دُبَيّ,). Dubai Creek is a natural saltwater creek that extends about 9 miles (14 km) inwards and forms a natural port that is used for trade and transport.
Modest oil revenue helped accelerate Dubai’s development from the 1960s to the 1990s, when the city started to diversify its economy…..by 2018, oil production contributed less than 1% to the emirate’s GDP.
Rapid construction since the 1990s has produced one of the world’s densest and futuristic skylines, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, that offers breathtaking views from its observation decks. At 2,716 feet (828 meters) it is almost twice as high as New York City’s Empire State Building, which stands 1,250 feet tall to its roof, and including its antenna pinnacle, has a total height of 1,454 feet).
Extensive land-reclamation projects have added more than 190 miles (300 kilometers) of artificial coastline.
Dubai’s economy centers on trade, tourism, aviation, financial services, and real estate. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s major financial centers.
In 2024, Dubai was the seventh most-visited city globally, in terms of air passengers. While Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) frequently holds the title for total passengers (including domestic), Dubai International (DXB) is the undisputed leader for international traffic, having handled a record-breaking 95.2 million passengers in 2025, marking a 3.1% year-on-year growth. As the primary hub for Emirates Airline, it connected 291 destinations across 110 countries and operated at high capacity, maintaining its top global position.
Visitors are attracted to its extravagant shopping, desert adventures, and cultural contrasts, with over 15 million international visitors each year, cementing its status as one of the world’s top destinations.
The official state religion is Islam, with Sunni Muslims forming the majority, followed by Shia Muslims, particularly in Dubai and Sharjah. Islamic law (Sharia) influences national law, and Islamic finance is prominent. While Islam is the official religion and state-mandated guidelines prohibit proselytizing or public criticism of Islam, the city promotes tolerance and hosts numerous churches, temples, and religious communities.
A significant minority (around 12-13%) is Christian, including both Catholic and Orthodox communities, with many churches in Dubai. We highlight a few Roman Catholic churches below.
Catholic places of interest in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.):
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church (Oud Metha): This is the oldest and largest Catholic parish in Dubai (and one of the largest in the world), established in 1967 and rebuilt in 1989. Located on Oud Metha Road in Bur Dubai, it’s centrally positioned and serves hundreds of thousands of parishioners. It is known for its multicultural Masses in multiple languages (e.g., English, Arabic, Tagalog, Malayalam, Konkani).
Click here for the official website of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai.
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Jebel Ali): Inaugurated in 2001, this modern church serves the southern and newer parts of Dubai, including areas like Jebel Ali and Dubai Marina. It’s located in the Jebel Ali Village area and also offers services in various languages.
Click here for the official website of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Dubai.
Both churches reflect Dubai’s religious tolerance, with land historically donated by U.A.E. rulers.
Traveling to Dubai:
By air: Most people fly in to Dubai International Airport (DXB). To meet growing demand, Dubai is pursuing a $35 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), located 23 miles (37 kilometers)southwest of the city, intended to eventually handle 260 million passengers annually.
By ship: Many cruise lines offer Dubai as a port of call, including MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Seabourn, Silversea and Oceania Cruises.
By road/car: from neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Visitors need a valid passport (6+ months validity) and you should check specific visa rules for your nationality (U.S. citizens can get a visa on arrival).