Dubai: Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm… go the lyrics of a popular Christmas carol, but these words fall on deaf ears every Christmas Eve in Dubai.
Each year, Oud Metha, where most churches are located, turns into a parking nightmare on December 24 and those attending midnight mass don't expect it to get any better the next day. Sandra Menezes, a 26-year-old management executive, says parking issues have forced her to ditch her car for a taxi on Christmas Eve.
"While St Mary's Church is the largest parish in the world, there are only two Catholic churches in Dubai: Jebel Ali and Oud Metha. So the turnout on Christmas Eve is in the thousands. In the past we've had to park near Maktoum Bridge or get to the church early." There are three churches in the area holding midnight mass.
"Last year, I couldn't find parking. I just drove back home. Christmas is an event of peace and joy. Here, it's a reason for traffic jams," says Tito Martin, who hopes to attend the mass at the Jebel Ali church instead.
At the church complex in Yarmook, Sharjah, tension runs high. Pawan Sehgal, an insurance manager who attends the service at the Syrian Orthodox Sonoro Jacobite Church, says: "Either I get to church early, or I arrive late for the mass, or change the venue to a church in Dubai, or just stay at home." Driving into Dubai and attending mass in another venue are his best options.
