Tens of thousands of Catholics attended Easter Sunday services across the UAE as Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in his traditional address to mark the religious festival.
Large turnouts were recorded with the first masses at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi and St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai starting from 4am.
Dozens of services were held during the day in both churches and in multiple languages such as Arabic, Malayalam and Urdu.
Fr Darick D'Souza told The National about 70,000 worshippers were expected at St Joseph’s Cathedral alone for the ceremonies.
“Easter is the most important festival for all Christians around the world because it carries the foundation of the Christian faith,” said Fr D'Souza, who is secretary to Paolo Martinelli, bishop of Southern Arabia.
“All around the world all Christians go to the church to participate in the Easter service,” he said.
“Thanks to the reorganisation of the weekend, our faithful can now participate in the Easter service, which is an obligation for all the Catholics,” said Fr D’Souza, referring to how in 2022 the UAE switched the weekend from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday.
Easter Sunday marks Jesus rising from the dead, three days after he was crucified. Services take place throughout the week and culminate on Sunday.
Easter services were also scheduled to take place at St Francis Church in the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island and other Catholic churches across the country.
It is believed there are about a million Catholics in the UAE.
Pope condemns global wars
Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church, delivered a traditional Easter message on Sunday, which focused on the deadly conflict in Gaza.
The Pontiff held Mass in St Peter's Square in the Vatican City before issuing a plea for peace during his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" address from the Vatican.
He underlined the urgent need for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the Gaza Strip and pressed for the release of hostages seized on October 7 and for an immediate ceasefire.
And Fr D’Souza also emphasised the message of peace issued by Bishop Paolo Martinelli.
“Bishop Paolo has highlighted that every Christian is called to be peacemakers in this world,” said Fr D’Souza.
The bishop “called for prayers for peace in the Holy Land, Ukraine and rest of the world where conflict is still prevalent," he said.
“Peace in the Holy Land is always important not just for Christians but also for Islam and Jews as these three religions have some of the most holy sites in this place.”
Pope Francis last week denounced the “senseless tragedy of war” and vowed to support Christians caught up in conflict.
The pontiff lamented children being “robbed of their future” and said he was aware of the “suffering and struggles” endured by many, in a letter directed to Catholics in the region and that was shared online by the Vatican.
He criticised the “pointless folly of war” scarring the world and urged worshippers to pray for peace before the Easter holiday.
While Pope Francis did not mention Palestine or Gaza by name, the Holy Land is considered by the Catholic faith to encompass Israel and Palestine.
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Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates
October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)
October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)
November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)
November 28-30: Dubai International Rally
January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)
March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)
April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway |
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Transmission: eight-speed auto
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Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.
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Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.
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Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
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Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
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Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
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Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
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Power: Combined output 920hp
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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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Power: 819hp
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
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The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
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Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
