Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an early Christian monastery on an island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to you, this was founded about 1400 years ago – before the spread of Islam. The find confirms that Christianity had gained a widespread foothold in the Persian Gulf and towards India before Islam spread.
The monastery was found on the island of Siniyah, off the coast of Umm al-Quwain – one of the seven emirates of the UAE. Examination of samples using the radiocarbon method shows that the monastery was founded between 534 and 656 AD. The Islamic prophet Muhammad lived from 570 to 632; by this time, Muslim armies had conquered most of the Arabian Peninsula.
According to the scientists, the discovered monastery on Siniyah consisted of a single-aisled church and another four-room building, possibly the residence of an abbot or bishop. The excavations also revealed remains of a baptismal font and an altar, as well as an oven believed to have been used to bake bread for the Eucharist, Catholic news agency Kathpress reported.
Second ruined monastery in the Emirates
It is already the second ruined monastery in the Emirates. In the early 1990s, researchers discovered the remains of a Christian monastery near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This dates from the same period as the discovered site.
Remains of monasteries and churches from this period can also be found in Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. According to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad decreed before his death that there should be no religion in the Arabian Peninsula other than Islam. Today about 3.5 million Christians live there, almost all guest workers from countries such as the Philippines, Bangladesh or Pakistan.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
