Keep Christmas festivities in UAE low-key, be prudent: Religious leaders dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com Filed on December 19, 2020
Photo by Ryan Lim/Khaleej Times
Churches in Sharjah have been given permission to organise Christmas masses under strict social distancing protocols this year.
Though most UAE residents are keen on celebrating the Christmas season, religious leaders have reminded that merriments must remain low-key and Covid-safe.
While churches in Sharjah have been given permission to organise Christmas masses under strict social distancing protocols this year, those in Dubai await a final decision on the matter from local authorities.
Fr Lennie JA Conully, parish priest of the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai, urged the faithful to make safety a priority. “Celebrations can be done next year…life is more important,” he said.
Christmas masses in Sharjah
Fr Joji Miriam from the St Gregorios Orthodox Church told Khaleej Times: “In Sharjah, our Christmas mass will be organised from 6pm to 10.30pm on December 24. Those wishing to participate should pre-register online.”
In the UAE, there are many beautiful Mosques! but also beautiful Churches!
(Al Noor Mosque / Orthodox Church)
The church will accept only 160 worshippers to attend mass this year. “Last year, we had about 5,000 people attending the Christmas mass,” he added.
All other festivities, like carolling, will not be taking place this year. “Regular mass is currently being organised at 50 per cent capacity. All worshippers have to wear masks and maintain a two-metre distance. Also, only people in the age group of 12-60 can come to the church.”
Christmas in UAE: Churches announce mass timings
Photo by Ryan Lim/Khaleej Times
All other festivities, like carolling, will not be taking place this year.
Though most UAE residents are keen on celebrating the Christmas season, religious leaders have reminded that merriments must remain low-key and Covid-safe.
While churches in Sharjah have been given permission to organise Christmas masses under strict social distancing protocols this year, churches in Dubai await a final decision on the matter from local authorities.
Fr Lennie JA Conully, parish priest of the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai, urged the faithful to make safety a priority. “Celebrations can be done next year…life is more important,” he said.
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A businesswoman in Dubai helped several needy families by providing rent-free homes after residents lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
Saaeda Riaz, 40, from Pakistan, who runs a property management services company, found temporary homes for 15 families who could not fly back to their home countries because of travel restrictions at the time.
Families contacted her through the Helping Hands UAE Facebook group managed by Ms Riaz and her husband.
I was able to use some of my own properties to help them while I asked landlords if they were able to offer any aid
Saaeda Riaz
She used her business contacts to find temporary homes for the families.
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