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'Family' is the keyword this Easter for UAE expats

Abu Dhabi/Dubai - Residents living away from their loved ones try and make their Easter celebration as traditional as possible.

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