Dubai: For many Christian expatriates in the UAE who are celebrating Christmas in Dubai on Tuesday, the special day is marked with family get-togethers and prayers.
Many Christian churches in the country have held special masses since December 16, taking advantage of the religious freedom the UAE leadership accords its residents.
Among those thankful for UAE’s religious tolerance is Sabu George, an Indian expatriate. George said his family of six, including his parents, will spend Christmas Eve together by first attending a programme at church.
“We will attended a Christmas programme at church in the evening and then have our Christmas Eve dinner together at home,” he said. “We will have a time of prayer as it’s the time to reflect on what God has done for mankind. It’s a time of peace and joy and celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.”
George said his Christmas this year is extra special as his relatives have flown in from India to help celebrate the yuletide season.
Prayers were also a priority for Gideon Adjei, 38, before doing anything else on Christmas Day. The 38-year-old civil engineer from Ghana said he and his family plan to go to church before heading to Fujairah with friends. “We’re camping in Fujairah on Christmas Day and have three events lined up, including talking about the way Christ came to the world and the meaning of Christmas,” he said.
For Josephine Roxas, a Filipino accountant who is celebrating Christmas away from family, she said she will attend mass on Christmas Day to pray for her family. Like many expatriates, Roxas, who is scheduled to fly to the Philippines on December 27, said she plans to speak with her family by telephone and computer on Christmas Eve.
“Last year I was home for Christmas,” she said. “Spending Christmas away from your family is obviously not easy. So I will just call them and chat with them via Skype just before they have Christmas Eve dinner.”
