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The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi has sent a warm Christmas greeting to hundreds of thousands of Christians in the Emirates.
In a post on social media he wished them well on the occasion.
Across the country, the faithful are attending mass and celebrating with family. Tens of thousands are estimated to have attended Christmas Eve services, including those at St Mary's in Dubai, the largest church in the Gulf.
“Sincere Christmas greetings to our Christian friends in the UAE and around the world,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.
“We wish that peace, security, tolerance and goodness prevail worldwide.”
The President, Sheikh Khalifa, also sent a congratulatory Christmas message to Pope Francis, expressing best wishes for peace and tolerance around the world.
At St Mary's, in Bur Dubai's Oud Metha district, as many as 100,000 worshippers attended services over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
