A temple in Dubai—the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Middle East—will serve thousands of Latter-day Saints living in two stakes in the Gulf States and a number of member districts in the Middle East, northern Africa, eastern Europe, and western Asia. This historic temple announcement is a direct answer to fervent prayers offered by Church members over many years.
The United Arab Emirates has been an example of tolerance and religious inclusion since the country was founded in 1971. “The plan for a temple in Dubai comes in response to their gracious invitation, which we gratefully acknowledge,” said President Russell M. Nelson in his historic announcement.
The first self-standing Church meetinghouse in the Middle East was dedicated by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2013. The new temple will be built in District 2020, the future legacy site of Expo 2020 Dubai, after that worldwide event concludes. The site will include both a meetinghouse and a temple.
“We are grateful to the government officials of the United Arab Emirates who have welcomed us so warmly into their country,” said Elder David A. Bednar, who oversees the work in the Middle East Africa North Area. “Only the Spirit of the Lord could have brought about such a mighty miracle. The presence of a temple in Dubai will be a great blessing in the lives of our Church members.”