Ukrainians in Abu Dhabi came together on Orthodox Easter Sunday to pray that the war in their homeland would soon come to an end.
A Ukrainian-language service was held at St Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday to mark the religious festival, led by Father Liubomyr Fylypchak, who roused the congregation with traditional hymns.
Worshippers prayed for their families in Ukraine, almost 14 months on from the Russian invasion, and two days after a Russian rocket attack in Sloviansk killed at least 11 and injured 21.
The conflict is estimated to have left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions.
Supporting one another
Yevheniy Semenov, 29, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for ten years, helped organise the Easter service, which saw the church come alive in colour as dozens of Ukrainians arrived in traditional vyshyvanka embroidery.
“Ukrainians in the UAE are trying to support people back home as much as possible,” says Mr Semenov.
“Everyone here is grateful to the government and the leadership of the UAE for the support, and we feel honoured to be here in the safest country in the world.”
Mr Semenov, who arrived in the UAE as a student, now helps to organise community events to help refugees settle into life in the emirates, including Saturday school and language classes for kids, and psychologist sessions for anyone who needs extra support.
“We are all overseas and everyone has their relatives back home, so we understand the pain,” says Mr Semenov, whose entire family remains in Ukraine.
“Helping others in worse conditions brings us together and makes that pain more bearable.”
One of the newest worshippers to join the St Joseph’s congregation is Liliia Datsyna, 29, from Lviv, who moved to Abu Dhabi from Ukraine in December to join her partner Andrii Opanaschuk, 30, who has lived in the emirate for three years.
In February, the couple, who are musicians, married in nearby St Therese Church, offering a much-needed moment of joy in an incredibly dark year.
“I’m praying for the end of the war,” says Mrs Datsyna. “Our parents, our relatives and our friends are all in Ukraine and what is happening there is very sad.
“It's a different world here in Abu Dhabi, and when you're calling home and your mom is crying because of the news it is very difficult.
“Easter is a big celebration in Ukraine, but if we went back our husbands wouldn’t be able to leave again. We don't know what to expect, but we pray that the war will end soon.”
Prayers for family back home
Mr Opanaschuk, who is a conductor at Abu Dhabi’s Youth Orchestra, spoke of his love for the Emirates and the safe haven it has provided for his new wife.
"I’m so happy Liliia is finally here,” he says. “The people of the UAE have been so welcoming to all of us, but not everyone is so fortunate and we all just want the war to end.
“Today I prayed that God would save our lives and protect our families back home.”
The Easter service was the second led by Father Liubomyr, who arrived in Abu Dhabi in March 2022 and was overwhelmed by the tolerance and warmth of the nation.
“I wasn’t prepared for just how welcome we would be made to feel in a Muslim country but we need it now more than ever," he said.
“Ukrainian people can’t be at home, they can’t see their parents or be with their loved ones, so the church has become that place where they look for consolation.”
In the past year, the priest has seen the congregation swell as the conflict rages on.
“Before the war, the church community here was a lot smaller, but when you have something that you can’t manage by yourself you need an atmosphere of acceptance and trust,” he says.
“Our community is growing, and the support is not just spiritual but social, too. We are here for anyone that needs us.”
Scores
Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Italy 7-26 Australia
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
SPECS
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
The five pillars of Islam
The%20specs
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Jurassic%20Park
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
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BABYLON
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SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Seung-gyu%2C%20Jo%20Hyeon-woo%2C%20Song%20Bum-keun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Young-gwon%2C%20Kim%20Min-jae%2C%20Jung%20Seung-hyun%2C%20Kim%20Ju-sung%2C%20Kim%20Ji-soo%2C%20Seol%20Young-woo%2C%20Kim%20Tae-hwan%2C%20Lee%20Ki-je%2C%20Kim%20Jin-su%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPark%20Yong-woo%2C%20Hwang%20In-beom%2C%20Hong%20Hyun-seok%2C%20Lee%20Soon-min%2C%20Lee%20Jae-sung%2C%20Lee%20Kang-in%2C%20Son%20Heung-min%20(captain)%2C%20Jeong%20Woo-yeong%2C%20Moon%20Seon-min%2C%20Park%20Jin-seob%2C%20Yang%20Hyun-jun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStrikers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHwang%20Hee-chan%2C%20Cho%20Gue-sung%2C%20Oh%20Hyeon-gyu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
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