Indian Christians celebrate Christmas in the UAE

Eva Suares, 3, hugs her father Ryan Suares before receiving her Christmas present at Preci D’Souza’s home in Bur Dubai. Razan Alzayani / The National

DUBAI // Every Christmas, despite being away from her homeland, Jennifer Pinto gathers at least 20 family members for a traditional lunch.

“We ritually have a Christmas lunch at my aunt’s place,” said Mrs Pinto, 30, an Indian who has lived in Dubai since 2006.

“We had bought gifts for every other family member and had placed it under the tree. After lunch, we opened them and hugged each other.”

This year was a bit more special for Mrs Pinto and her daughter Eva, 3.

“This is the first year she understands Christmas and Santa Claus. She wrote a letter to Santa,” she said.

The family attended mass on Christmas Eve on Tuesday.

“We usually go for the earlier mass on December 24,” Mrs Pinto said. “Generally the parish is so full for midnight mass and we end up standing outside. We do not hear the sermons or see the priest.”

Roslin Prashant, 34, an Indian resident in Dubai, also went for Christmas mass on Tuesday to beat the crowd.

Mrs Prashant, who is married to a Hindu, ensures her three-year-old son celebrates Christmas in the traditional way. They have been opening an advent calendar in the countdown to Christmas.

“We have been using a Lego calendar from December 1,” Mrs Prashant said.

“Each day, he’s been doing something different such as writing a Christmas card, singing a carol, reading a story, wishing someone, decorating the tree and setting up the crib as a countdown for the big day.

“This way, there is a sense of anticipation until Christmas. I tell him stories of how Jesus was born and try to tell him the importance of being happy during this festive season.”

It is also one of the busiest times for Indian community organisations. In Abu Dhabi, the Indian Social and Cultural Centre has planned a gathering for more than 300 expatriates and their families on Boxing Day.

“We are organising a Christmas tree decoration contest, a Santa with children events and carols singing,” said Raju B P, the centre’s general manager.

“Everybody will bring their own tree and decorations and whoever decorates their tree in the best way will be judged the winner.”

Mr Raju said the event had been planned for the day after Christmas to ensure people could make it.

“On December 25, people are usually celebrating with their families or are at work,” he said.