UAE businessman Yusuffali M.A. donates Dh1 million for construction of Abu Dhabi church’s new building

UAE businessman Yusuffali M.A. donates Dh1 million for construction of Abu Dhabi church’s new building

In 1970, the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, laid the foundation stone for the church

Published: Tue 22 Aug 2023, 1:20 PM Last updated: Tue 22 Aug 2023, 2:04 PM

Lulu Group chairman and managing director Yusuffali M.A. has donated Dh1 million for the construction of a new building for St George Orthodox Cathedral – one of the oldest churches in Abu Dhabi.

Cathedral Vicar Rev. Father Eldho M Paul noted the building’s construction works, which started in December last year, were on track for completion by May next year.

“Nearly 40 per cent of the construction works have been completed. We hope to finish the basic structure of the building by the end of next month. We expect the entire work to be over by April or May 2024,” Father Paul told Khaleej Times.

St George Orthodox Cathedral is older than the UAE. In 1970, the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, laid the foundation stone for the church in the Khalidiya area of the city. In 1983, the church was relocated to the Mushrif area. In 2004, the church was elevated as a cathedral. And in September last year, the 39-year-old church