St Mary's Church, Dubai - in pictures

  • St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai is preparing for Christmas. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai is preparing for Christmas. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The church in Oud Metha has been decorated for the festive season
    The church in Oud Metha has been decorated for the festive season
  • Christmas celebrations in the place of worship have grown larger over the years, with decorations becoming more visible
    Christmas celebrations in the place of worship have grown larger over the years, with decorations becoming more visible
  • A worshipper in a quiet moment of prayer at St Mary's Catholic Church in the days before Christmas
    A worshipper in a quiet moment of prayer at St Mary's Catholic Church in the days before Christmas
  • The church is quiet for now but thousands of worshippers are expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
    The church is quiet for now but thousands of worshippers are expected on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • Mass will start early on Christmas Day
    Mass will start early on Christmas Day
  • St Mary's has been a focal point of the community for decades and in the 1960s, Sheikh Rashid, then Ruler of Dubai, donated land for the church, as well as its bells
    St Mary's has been a focal point of the community for decades and in the 1960s, Sheikh Rashid, then Ruler of Dubai, donated land for the church, as well as its bells
  • A plaque stating how Sheikh Rashid donated the church bells
    A plaque stating how Sheikh Rashid donated the church bells
  • Christmas decorations and a shrine at St Mary's
    Christmas decorations and a shrine at St Mary's
  • A nativity scene at St Mary's
    A nativity scene at St Mary's
  • St Mary's is about to enter its busiest time of the year
    St Mary's is about to enter its busiest time of the year