Churches in Dubai will be closed to the public until further notice, with only limited mass services being available to watch online over the traditionally busy Easter period.
The measures are in place from Friday, April 3, with parishioners advised not to visit the churches in the interest of safety and community well-being.
Since February 28, the UAE has been under attack from Iranian missiles and drones. Tehran claims it is aiming at US interests in neighbouring countries in response to attacks by America and Israel.
Churches in Dubai have put out notices offering advice to parishioners on their social media channels.
“Please note with effect from April 3, our church will be closed to all visitors until further notice,” read a message on the website and social media channels of St Mary's Catholic Church in Oud Metha, Dubai.
“The 3pm and 6pm Good Friday services on April 3 will be streamed online via our church YouTube channel. Thank you for understanding.”
Masses at Dubai's Catholic churches regularly attract thousands of worshippers over Easter and Christmas, with crowds outside the buildings listening to the services through speakers.
Some Catholic churches in Dubai, such as St Francis of Assisi in Jebel Ali, had already stipulated mass services would be held indoors only, before the closures were announced.
Churches and houses of worship are often found in a cluster, such as in Jebel Ali and Oud Metha.
“As per directive of the Government Regulatory Authorities, all masses at our church cancelled until further notice,” the church stated on its website.
“Parishioners are requested to refrain from visiting the church premises in the interest of safety and community well-being. No online stream.”
It was not immediately clear from authorities if churches in Abu Dhabi or other emirates would be affected.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which oversees the Catholic Church in the UAE, said in a statement on Friday it was committed to following the guidelines from authorities.
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, asked all parishioners in Dubai to respect these provisions and join the celebrations through the available online channels.
“It is certainly painful not to be able to take part in person in the beautiful and rich celebrations of the Holy Week," he said. "We hope to return soon to celebrating together.”
St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Oud Metha, Dubai, also said on social media that the compound was closed to worshippers, with services being conducted online.
“In accordance with the strict instructions issued by the UAE authorities, all worship and services in our parish will be conducted online only until further notice,” it said. “Service timings will remain the same.”
St Mina Coptic Orthodox Church in Jebel Ali also said on social media that services and other activities were cancelled for now. “We pray that God keeps everyone safe and we will keep you updated with any new developments.”
Dubai Mar Thoma Parish in Jebel Ali announced similar measures. “All services will be online this week,” a notice on its website read. “Please be in touch with your respective area representatives.”
Christ Church Jebel Ali told The National its facility was closed and services had gone online.
"All of our services are now online during these sacred three days. We are extremely grateful for the Rulers of Dubai and the UAE for protecting and keeping us safe."
The Hindu temple and the Sikh Guru Nanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, which both sit near churches forming a cluster of houses of worship, also closed on Friday.
“The Hindu temple Dubai will remain closed until further notice for safety and security reasons,” temple authorities said.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and request the devotees’ understanding and co-operation. May the Lord bless all with safety and well-being.”
Having shut temporarily on March 31 after aerial interceptions and missile debris, the Sikh Guru Nanak Darbar reopened for two days then closed again on Friday.
“We are shut from today until further notice,” Surender Kandhari, chairman of the Sikh gurdwara in Dubai, told The National on Friday. “We have got instructions from the Community Development Authority and the Dubai Police not to open for security reasons.”
He said these were precautionary measures because of the number of people expected to gather.
The Baps Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi has been shut since the Iranian attacks began on March 2.
Good Friday marked around the world - in pictures
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Catholic devotees transport a casket containing a statue of Jesus, in a ritual inherited from centuries-long Portuguese influence, in Larantuka, Indonesia. AFP -
Brotherhood members carry an image of 'Santisimo Cristo del Salvador' into the sea during a Good Friday procession, in Valencia, eastern Spain. EPA -
Catholic devotees take part in a Good Friday procession from a church in Dili, Timor-Leste. AFP -
Actors prepare their crosses before a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, in Bensheim, Germany. Reuters -
A Filipino re-enactment of the death of Jesus, in San Fernando City, the Philippines. EPA -
Christians in a Good Friday procession in the Dharavi slums in Mumbai, India. AFP -
Members of a congregation walk the streets of the Westburg suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa, celebrating Good Friday. EPA -
Parishioners from St Charbel's Maronite Catholic Parish re-enact the Stations of the Cross during a Good Friday service in Sydney, Australia. EPA
The Dubai Media Office and Community Development Authority have been contacted by The National for comment.
Worshippers had been attending services in the UAE throughout Holy Week in the build-up to Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar.
“Easter is very important because this is a season of hope,” Fr Chito Bartolo, parish priest of St Joseph's Cathedral, told The National on Thursday. He said hope and peace are the main messages this year.
St Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi was also set to hold celebrations indoors only, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Especially in this situation where everybody is being enveloped with fear, anxiety, or uncertainty, the message of Easter is very important,” the church said. It is a message of hope.”
Since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have engaged 457 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,038 drones.
