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Fantasia Desertica · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: UAE

Perhaps as a direct result of some people's dissatisfaction about the dedication of the new catholic church in Doha a couple of days ago, there is now tight security in place here in the UAE.

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10198031.html

With Easter coming up, whoever is behind this has a great sense of timing...

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

Hope all will be fine.

The key would be to keep a low profile and not to show any annoyance at the security measures put in place.

Such annoyance is generally shown by parents who mutter their resentment in the presence of security forces upon their daughters' and sons' bags being checked or their vehicles being examined.

A prayerful Holy Week.

Regards,

Lall.

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

The same happened at St. Mary's in Dubai this weekend. Cars were not allowed to be parked near the church, there was only one access point to the compound, and everyone had to be screened by security with metal detectors.

It could have been due to many reasons. I had heard that the assassination of the Iraqi Archbishop sparked some security concerns.

As for Jebel Ali, now that New Sonapur is up and running and surrounding all the churches there, I think those security arrangements may be more permanent.

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

There was quite a bit of police security at the open-air service in Isa Town on Maundy Thursday at Bahrain, though I daresay that may be the standard arrangement every year. This is my Ist Holy Week here.

The congregation was at least 5,000-strong. The service was solemnly conducted and what struck me most was that the little children were extremely well-behaved, considering that it was held in the open.The choir could do with some improvement, though.

I've found the Bahrainis to be very accommodating in the matter of churches. Omanis, too.

Bahrain had a number of visitors from Saudi for the Holy Week services. The special services held for them in Arabic in Manama had nearly 400 to 500 people.

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

Attended Easter services.

Repeat. The choir could certainly do with some improvement.

Spotted only one white Westerner, a pretty female in a nice, yellow and white dress.

The announcements in the "Oh! So many languages" were a novelty.

Nice to see faith alive in all those languages. And I don't necessarily mean the Roman Catholic or the Christian faith.

Happy Easter!

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/03/24/10199863.html