ABU DHABI // Away from the traffic and hustle and bustle of the rest of the capital, the air buzzed with Christmas spirit on Sunday.
Thousands of Catholics in their finest suits and saris flocked to St Paul's Church in Mussaffah where eight Christmas masses were celebrated in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Konkani and Tagalog from as early as 4am until 8.30pm.
Church-goers said they missed their families back home, but visiting the mass allowed them to enjoy the spirit of Christmas.
“I feel really, really sad and lonely,” said Anthony Okoloba, 45, a safety professional working in Abu Dhabi for the past 15 months.
“In Nigeria by now, there would be lots of songs, so many carols, and music everywhere. The celebrations are colourful.”
He had taken a day off to spend the holiday with his friends.
“I really miss my wife and two daughters,” he said. “But I’m glad to be part of a very active African community here. Today, my friend here, who’s a good cook, will be preparing our traditional dishes and we’ll have a simple celebration at our accommodation.”
Sagaya Nesan, 50, a church co-ordinator from India who has lived in the capital for 12 years, spent Christmas away from his wife and two sons, aged 15 and 18.
“Many of us are not with our families today but we belong to a community,” he said. “It’s important that we share our Christmas joy with others.”
Families and friends posed for photographs in front of a giant Christmas tree near the church entrance, while others prayed in front of a statue of Mary.
Among them were Liji Joseph, 32, her husband Binu, 34 and their daughters Rose and Elsa, aged 3 and 5.
“Our Christmas this year is very special,” she said. “Both my parents are visiting from India to attend mass and celebrate with us, so it’s a wonderful feeling. We would like them to experience the Christmas spirit here, in a Muslim country.”
The previous night, thousands headed towards the church to attend five masses, including carol singing and the Christmas Eve high mass at 11.30pm.
“Christmas is a time of joy and peace,” said Father Ani Xavier, the church’s parish priest. “It’s a time of rejoicing in the presence of one another because in the history of the Catholic Church, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
“I’m so happy that we are able to celebrate Christmas, and we are so grateful to the country’s Rulers, especially to the President Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who have given a place for us. We are praying for the Ruler’s family and may God continue to bless them with good health, happiness and peace.
“We also pray for the prosperity of this country.”
The opening of St Paul's Church in June last year highlights the religious tolerance of the country's leaders. The 4,560-square-metre complex is built on land that was given by Abu Dhabi Municipality, under the directives of the Office of the Crown Prince, in 2011.
“We experience religious tolerance here and we have the freedom to practice and express our faith,” Fr Xavier said. “All the credit goes to the Rulers, their families and the Ministers of this country.”
In his Christmas homily, Fr Xavier told worshippers: “The birth of Jesus was first proclaimed to the shepherds, who were simple and ordinary people. So in the same way, as we are celebrating Christmas today, we have to give importance to the ordinary people, such as labourers, in this part of the world. We have to reach out to the poor, the sick, and the elderly.
“Jesus chose to be poor and we are called to love the poor. We have to live a simple life and whatever God-given resources we have has to be shared to the poor, the needy and those who are suffering.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
