![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WKRGLQJD4ZAVNL3UHDMA7BAUYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=56ea8ea055ab2ad1905790db8f1e2511f86c506e6e64ec3b9dfdbe083f4bb652&width=400&height=225)
Santa Claus makes an appearance at the Expo City Dubai Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in December 2022. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EAL7T3OLRDUVMGZ4KUDC66PBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e0314ed44fd48e6b2829f6ea8ee70b18ea5180e6be1563d4545ec9a78c90d27&width=400&height=225)
John Jacobs celebrating Christmas in Sharjah at point from 1976 to 1983. Mr Jacobs, from the Netherlands, said he, along with his wife and three children, created a real christmas ambiance in their house. Photo: Truus Jacobs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EDUZ3WVZV5BXLMYKW7A2PESK5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef5296fb14601d774c9dec86c8b7037c84bea9071b22b5563b1446c37d451b8b&width=400&height=225)
Christmas at the John Jacobs house, Sharjah, 1976 to 1983. Seen here is the family's nanny, Pathma, beside the tree. Photo: Truus Jacobs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/US6X2YDCO5AWZGQICD6KIZ65NQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=4c419c6a3ff280a0dd6570cfbcfd4182bb4a6a63158520c8a6d08a5538e2d9cc&width=400&height=225)
Michelle Brown and Mark Lloyd in 1987. The musical duo performed at the Dubai Hilton then. It was a time when hotels were starting to embrace the festive spirit. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G4ADNXHO4VFGNFTMNRECIDUZEQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=dd881de01cb44e26140399cfafd20046b9979aca945ced29d69675fb4e549495&width=400&height=225)
Hilton’s brochure for Christmas in 1989. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FFEGFURAGZFKVNNVTUI6XLRNGY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=48e8b6a564e962c854969fd5c3970148d3dddcdbd5e0b358a9192656742d35e4&width=400&height=225)
Some of festive events at Hilton in 1989 including the tree-lighting ceremony. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2WJOQUYDDRG6RJJUWSQ7BCXY5I.jpeg?smart=true&auth=baeaee9d35e141f67b4ad9a2a861700167b03bb525882c20a2ba498559966ae1&width=400&height=225)
Michelle Brown and Mark Lloyd taken in 1992. Photo: Michelle Brown
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A vehicle wrapped like a Christmas gift in front of Dubai's Burjuman shopping centre, in December 1996. Getty Images
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Christmas decorations at a mall in Dubai in December 2000. AFP
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A Christmas tree at the Mina A'Salam Hotel beside Dubai's Burj Al Arab Hotel in 2004. AFP
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Displays became more lavish as the years went by, such as this one in Dubai in 2006. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CRK3QE5YCZDLFDAIHTMN3CJ6IU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4cc5059b3e96a8208b4e3fc37233c4673712669e6b335429a8502f250717b0e5&width=400&height=225)
Christians have long been able to attend Christmas mass in the UAE, such as this one at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai, on December 25, 2007. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DTJF36PVTNHU5M7GYPXPSUEYGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa8a7b937598e3e3d23da61abaedb5bf7cf4c9b0e48ee9828a13aa7a0bd72f71&width=400&height=225)
The Christmas tree at one of Dubai's main shopping malls on December 25, 2007. AFP
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Santa hats and camels on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai in 2013. Christopher Pike / The National
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A giant Santa Claus poster at Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai on December 25, 2018. AFP
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Visitors at Wafi Mall in Dubai on December 21, 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WKRGLQJD4ZAVNL3UHDMA7BAUYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=56ea8ea055ab2ad1905790db8f1e2511f86c506e6e64ec3b9dfdbe083f4bb652&width=400&height=225)
Santa Claus makes an appearance at the Expo City Dubai Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in December 2022. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4EAL7T3OLRDUVMGZ4KUDC66PBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e0314ed44fd48e6b2829f6ea8ee70b18ea5180e6be1563d4545ec9a78c90d27&width=400&height=225)
John Jacobs celebrating Christmas in Sharjah at point from 1976 to 1983. Mr Jacobs, from the Netherlands, said he, along with his wife and three children, created a real christmas ambiance in their house. Photo: Truus Jacobs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EDUZ3WVZV5BXLMYKW7A2PESK5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=ef5296fb14601d774c9dec86c8b7037c84bea9071b22b5563b1446c37d451b8b&width=400&height=225)
Christmas at the John Jacobs house, Sharjah, 1976 to 1983. Seen here is the family's nanny, Pathma, beside the tree. Photo: Truus Jacobs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/US6X2YDCO5AWZGQICD6KIZ65NQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=4c419c6a3ff280a0dd6570cfbcfd4182bb4a6a63158520c8a6d08a5538e2d9cc&width=400&height=225)
Michelle Brown and Mark Lloyd in 1987. The musical duo performed at the Dubai Hilton then. It was a time when hotels were starting to embrace the festive spirit. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G4ADNXHO4VFGNFTMNRECIDUZEQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=dd881de01cb44e26140399cfafd20046b9979aca945ced29d69675fb4e549495&width=400&height=225)
Hilton’s brochure for Christmas in 1989. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FFEGFURAGZFKVNNVTUI6XLRNGY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=48e8b6a564e962c854969fd5c3970148d3dddcdbd5e0b358a9192656742d35e4&width=400&height=225)
Some of festive events at Hilton in 1989 including the tree-lighting ceremony. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2WJOQUYDDRG6RJJUWSQ7BCXY5I.jpeg?smart=true&auth=baeaee9d35e141f67b4ad9a2a861700167b03bb525882c20a2ba498559966ae1&width=400&height=225)
Michelle Brown and Mark Lloyd taken in 1992. Photo: Michelle Brown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SIOE4GIGNRHEXHK424NWUDHFAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7394c1f860dd8e4db35e8d3233c35d836e936d66112c84ee1a70fc90ec4391ed&width=400&height=225)
A vehicle wrapped like a Christmas gift in front of Dubai's Burjuman shopping centre, in December 1996. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KW5EWMX4UJHQVKJ2K7QQ6KIKVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=07005d41db3cc3179915fccf509059f6a18efba8d13ec8df0737826199850208&width=400&height=225)
Christmas decorations at a mall in Dubai in December 2000. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P45V3FD5NNESXL6XNSISBX5MVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9ab71828ca1cdcf595d84f654d4054c1debec0f188d8aa30a80b407f1a60a3a4&width=400&height=225)
A Christmas tree at the Mina A'Salam Hotel beside Dubai's Burj Al Arab Hotel in 2004. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C2Y22DOZ2FDLHMGTZZEE7K3ILY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff2d8ea6714d0ad076a7b829ccaacb7c08ea6cca82e757fa7ad10112c575b824&width=400&height=225)
Displays became more lavish as the years went by, such as this one in Dubai in 2006. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CRK3QE5YCZDLFDAIHTMN3CJ6IU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4cc5059b3e96a8208b4e3fc37233c4673712669e6b335429a8502f250717b0e5&width=400&height=225)
Christians have long been able to attend Christmas mass in the UAE, such as this one at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai, on December 25, 2007. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DTJF36PVTNHU5M7GYPXPSUEYGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa8a7b937598e3e3d23da61abaedb5bf7cf4c9b0e48ee9828a13aa7a0bd72f71&width=400&height=225)
The Christmas tree at one of Dubai's main shopping malls on December 25, 2007. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HRYCE5FYES6AQUJIGZC3G3HQ7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=c24327d967746497ec41262e9b96c95cbb8469b56bf46ca43976dbdffcac2085&width=400&height=225)
Santa hats and camels on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai in 2013. Christopher Pike / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ME7ZWVGII5BI3L5OC542ZKRQ2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc20f8be61bb4c1989672bce210fae548113b0bcab302b32a0569b0d878211f5&width=400&height=225)
A giant Santa Claus poster at Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai on December 25, 2018. AFP
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Visitors at Wafi Mall in Dubai on December 21, 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Santa Claus makes an appearance at the Expo City Dubai Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in December 2022. Pawan Singh / The National
How house calls from the Abu Dhabi Ruler helped bring Christmas spirit to the desert
The visit of Sheikh Shakhbout to an expatriate family on Christmas morning in 1955 set the tone of tolerance for the festive season that continued through the years to this day
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
25 December, 2023
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