Detained Baptist Missionaries Expected to Return to U.S. After Release
A Baptist missionary arrested for distributing Bibles in the predominantly Muslim city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates could return to the United States by this weekend
Two Baptist missionaries arrested for distributing Bibles in the predominantly Muslim city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates could return to the United States by this weekend, according to a Christian ministry's web site.
Vivian Gilmer of Myrtle Beach S.C., and Marie Bush of Waxahachie, Texas were still in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, according to the Tom Cox Ministries Web site. The two missionaries, who were on the second leg of a missionary trip were accused of distributing Bibles and Christian literature to Muslims in Dubai on Feb. 19 and held under house arrest until charges are resolved. Although Christians are allowed to worship in private homes and churches in the predominantly Muslim city, it is illegal to publicly witness for Christianity as Islam is the official religion of the country.
A Filipino pastor was arrested two years ago in Dubai on similar charges. He was deported from the country after being detained for several weeks.
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"The women expect to be reunited with their families by this weekend," the web site stated, as reported by the South Carolina-based Sun News. "Although details will not be available until the end of the week."
An employee at First Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach told the Sun News that she did not have information about Gilmer's return.
According to the Sun News, Bush and Gilmer were part of a larger missionary group traveling in India and Dubai last month. After the women's arrest, eleven other missionaries with Tom Cox Ministries were told to leave the country.
Since then attorneys from International Mission Board and the U.S. Embassy have been helping negotiate the women's return to the United States, according to Kay Cox, whose husband, Tom Cox, founded the missionary group.
U.S. officials were hoping Bush and Gilmer would be deported, if orders were signed by the Dubai attorney general.
Until then the women had been staying in a private home in Dubai until charges are resolved.
