Catholic churches in Dubai cancel Easter services following government directives

Two major Catholic churches in Dubai, St. Mary’s and St. Francis of Assisi, have suspended all religious services until further notice during the Catholic Easter week. The cancellations were announced on the churches' websites following official government directives citing concerns over the conflict in the Middle East. Access to St. Mary’s Church was completely restricted on Good Friday, with security measures preventing entry, leading some worshippers to pray outside the facility. St. Francis of Assisi, located in the Jebel Ali coastal zone, similarly instructed parishioners to avoid the premises for their own safety. While sources attribute the closure to regional tensions, specific reports mention the area has previously been targeted by missiles and drones. To accommodate the faithful, both churches are offering services via digital platforms, including live streams on YouTube. Worshippers have been advised to follow the official announcements for updates on when operations might resume.