‘Unique experience’: UAE Christians celebrate Easter with prayers, feast

Dubai: Christians in the UAE celebrated Easter with heartfelt prayers, gatherings, sumptuous feasts, outings, and activities like Easter egg hunts.

Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, thousands of community members joined prayer services held at churches on Easter Sunday. Making the celebration more joyful, Dubai’s RTA offered free bus services over the Easter weekend.

For Elissa Serrano and her husband Nervin, the day provided a moment to reflect on the meaning of Easter.

“This Easter has been so special for me and my family. We started the day with a cozy breakfast – everyone gathered around the table, laughing, chatting, and just enjoying each other’s company. After that, we went to church, which really helped us reflect on the meaning of Easter and feel connected in a deeper way.”

Later, Elissa and Nervin arranged an Easter egg hunt for their children, Evanca, Nola, and Najeelah.
“We had an Easter egg hunt for the kids, which was so much fun to watch. They were running around with huge smiles on their faces. Later, we baked some treats together, filling the house with the smell of cookies and warmth. Honestly, it’s been such a beautiful day – simple, joyful, and full of love,” she said.

‘Global gathering of faith’
Elizabeth Thomas and her friend Meryl G, tourists from India, were swept up in Dubai’s vibrant festive atmosphere.
“It has been one of the most unique holiday experiences we’ve ever had,” Elizabeth noted.
The duo spent their days exploring the city, enchanted by the themed decorations, twinkling lights, and larger-than-life installations across malls and public spaces.
“What stood out was the multicultural mix of people in the church. It truly felt like a global gathering of faith,” said Meryl.

This Easter, they underlined, will always be special for the memories they have created in a city that so seamlessly brings people and cultures together.

“After observing Lent, we broke our fast with a delicious meal at a well-known restaurant – another tick off our Dubai bucket list,” said Meryl, as they ended the day with a visit to the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
“It felt like the perfect ending to a week filled with culture, food, faith, and friendship,” Elizabeth underscored.

Easter joy, expecting hope
Amid joyful celebrations with friends and relatives in Abu Dhabi, Serin Kuruvila and his wife, Mamatha Joseph, who is four months pregnant, are looking forward to next year’s Easter, which holds special meaning for their growing family.

“God willing, we’ll be celebrating next year with our newborn. Also, next year’s Easter falls on April 5, which is my birthday,” said Serin, who was born on April 5, 1996, a Good Friday.
“Sometimes, my birthday even lands on Maundy Thursday,” he said.

This year, the couple attended the Easter Vigil at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi and then spent the night preparing traditional dishes, hoping to free up the day for connections.

“We had enough time to spend with our loved ones and recreate a sense of celebration like back home in Kerala,” said Mamatha.