'Family' is the keyword this Easter for UAE expats

Special masses will be held in churches across the UAE to mark Easter, the culmination of lent. - File photo

Christians across the UAE will flock churches and attend special mass celebrating Easter today. According to Christian tradition, Easter marks the culmination of Lent, a 40-day period of penance, fasting and abstinence.
Residents living away from their loved ones try and make their Easter celebration as traditional as possible. Kevin Alexander, a banking professional in Dubai, said: "Currently, I live in Dubai and miss celebrating Easter with my loved ones, who are back home in India. However, I do what I can to replicate that family feel. I usually head to over to a friend's house and celebrate Easter with his family.
With Easter falling on a working day, some residents take the day off and spend time with loved ones. Ancy Alexander, a public relations professional, said: "We usually are big on Easter breakfast and lunch, and the entire family gets together for the feast after prayers."
Joshua Johnson, cofounder of the Ripple Effect dance production house, said: "Our family is a tight knit unit. Generally my family and relatives go to the church by about 7pm for the Easter mass."
Easter masses
Abu Dhabi
> St. Joseph Cathedral Malayalam Mass/ 4am, 8.15pm
English mass/ 7am, 8.30am, 12pm, 4.30pm, 5.45pm, 7pm
> St. Andrew's Church Sunrise service/ 5.30am
 Family service/ 10am
 Easter Eucharist/ 6pm
Dubai
> St Mary's Church English Mass/ 5.30am, 7am, 8.30am, 10am, 11.30am, 3pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm
Arabic mass/ 9pm
> Holy Trinity Church Easter mass/ 5.30 am, 9.30am, 7.30pm
Sharjah
> St Michael's Church
English/ 5.45am, 7.15am, 8.30am, 5.30pm, 7pm
Tamil/ 10am
Arabic/ 12pm
Malayalam/ 8.30pm
Urdu/ 8.30pm