AP (03.04.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (04.04.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Three Americans were arrested for distributing compact discs and videotapes promoting Christianity, the Al-Khaleej newspaper reported Tuesday.
The Sharjah daily quoted Dubai's prosecutor general. Calls to the prosecutor's office were not returned Tuesday, and the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi said it was aware of the case but would not comment further.
The three Americans were arrested March 12, the newspaper said. It did not identify their church.
If convicted of promoting a religion other than Islam or seeking converts, the Americans could face jail sentences of between five and 10 years.
A fourth American was reportedly arrested for allegedly arranging their entry visas into the country.
It is illegal to promote religions other than Islam in the Emirates, home to many Christian churches, Hindu temples and other non-Muslim worship places. Non-Muslims can practice their religions, but cannot proselytise.
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U.S. missionaries arrested in Dubai
Reuters (21.03.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (23.03.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Three U.S. missionaries have been arrested in Dubai for distributing Christian compact discs and videos, newspapers reported on Wednesday.
Police arrested the three as they were handing out the Christian material to passers-by, the papers said. A fourth U.S. citizen, who arranged the missionaries' visas, was also arrested, they said.
The U.S. embassy said it could not confirm the reports and local authorities could not immediately be contacted.
The English-language Gulf News said it was illegal to promote religions other than Islam in the United Arab Emirates, though non-Muslims are allowed to worship in the Gulf Arab country.
Unlike some other more conservative Muslim Gulf Arab states, several Christian churches are established in the UAE.
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