Ukrainian community marks Easter at Abu Dhabi cathedral


Rory Reynolds
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Ukrainians in Abu Dhabi came together on Easter Sunday with the hope that the war in their country will soon come to an end.

A special Ukrainian language service was held at St Joseph's Cathedral to mark Easter Sunday. Father Liubomyr Fylypchak led the Greek Catholic Church service in prayer and in a traditional folk song.

Worshippers prayed for family who are in Ukraine, two months on from the Russian invasion.

The conflict is estimated to have left thousands dead, displaced millions and left Ukraine's economy in ruins.

Yevheniy Semenov, who lives in Abu Dhabi, said the community has pulled together to support family members at home.

“Everyone knows the men and women who are defending Ukraine, our relatives, our friends and we know they will do their best to bring this war to an end,” he told The National.

Ukrainian expats have taken in family members who have sought to escape.

“Many families have brought relatives out here, but of course its all ladies and kids. The men are still in Ukraine serving. Everybody believes we will win, the war will be finished.”

“We have a lady here who was lucky enough to escape Mariupol, which was almost 100 per cent destroyed as a city. She has told us of people making drinking water out of snow, no phone coverage, so they don't know what is happening.”

Mr Semenov said Ukrainians abroad yearn for the day they can safely visit their home cities and towns again.

“We all want to once again visit our country, to see its historic buildings, its beautiful streets,” he said.

“And not just to see the physical Ukraine but to return to the feeling of calm once again.”

Ukraine invasion latest: in pictures

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New process leads to panic among jobseekers

As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.  

“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.

Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE. 

“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.

“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”

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Updated: April 25, 2022, 1:40 PM`