The Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi, Kuwait, has been officially elevated to the status of Minor Basilica, becoming the first of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula. The decree, promulgated on June 28 by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, recognizes the church’s deep historical, spiritual, and pastoral importance for Catholics in the Gulf region.
Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, expressed joy over the recognition, describing the church as a “flower” in the region and a place of refuge and devotion for migrants and workers who have made the Gulf their home. He noted that the church’s history dates back to 1948, when the Carmelites first initiated it to serve oil industry workers. Built by the Kuwait Oil Company, the parish marked its 75th anniversary two years ago.
The church houses the statue of Our Lady of Arabia, originally dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The statue was blessed by Pope Pius XII in 1949 and later crowned in 2011 on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Berardi emphasized the profound significance of a Marian statue being venerated in a predominantly Muslim country, calling it a powerful symbol of faith and protection.
Throughout its history, the church has served as a beacon of devotion, even during the Iraq-Kuwait war, when the statue remained a guardian for those who could not flee. Today, Our Lady of Arabia is patroness of the Gulf, covering both the northern and southern vicariates. Her solemnity is celebrated on the second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, which includes Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, is home to around two million Catholics, most of whom are migrant workers from the Philippines, India, Africa, and Europe. The community, described by Bishop Berardi as young and vibrant, continues to grow through faith, Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion, and catechism for children.
The decree of elevation (No. 18/25) followed a formal request from Bishop Berardi and was supported by pastoral efforts of clergy and the parish council of Our Lady of Arabia, with Capuchin Father Roswin Redento Agnelo Pires and his team preparing essential documentation. As a Minor Basilica, the church now enjoys special privileges, including the right to display papal emblems, carry the ombrellino and tintinnabulum, and highlight its close bond with the See of Rome and the Pope.
Bishop Berardi said the recognition is both an honor for the Vicariate and a profound affirmation of the living faith of Catholics in the Gulf. The date for the solemn celebration of the proclamation of the Minor Basilica will be announced soon.