UAE President, VP Express Wish For 'Peace And Happiness' During Christmas

KEY POINTS

Sheikh Mohamed sent a message of unity during the holiday season
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid expressed hope for goodness, mercy, and love
Sheikh Hamdan wished a Merry Christmas 'from Dubai to the world'

The UAE President and Vice President shared their Christmas greetings for people around the world celebrating the festival.

Taking to social media Sunday, the leaders of the UAE sent a message of unity during the holiday season.

"Sincere best wishes to those celebrating Christmas, both in the UAE and around the world. May the occasion be one of peace and happiness for you and your families," President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan shared on Twitter.

Sincere best wishes to those celebrating Christmas, both in the UAE and around the world. May the occasion be one of peace and happiness for you and your families.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) December 25, 2022

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also posted Christmas greetings on his social media handle, expressing hope for goodness, mercy, and love.

"We wish a Merry Christmas to those celebrating around the world.. May this holiday season bring to humanity all the goodness, mercy and love," he wrote.

We wish a Merry Christmas to those celebrating around the world.. May this holiday season bring to humanity all the goodness, mercy and love.
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 25, 2022

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed followed suit, and shared his Christmas greetings on his social media. "From Dubai to the world, we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays," he wrote.

From Dubai to the world, we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 25, 2022

Observers thanked the UAE leadership for "showing respect" to the Christian community celebrating Christmas all over the world.

"We appreciate your wishes for Christmas time bringing to everyone the reason to share goodness and solidarity," one user wrote on Twitter.

God bless you for your thoughtfulness, remarkable Soul!
— Pat Bergstresser (@greatpb1) December 25, 2022

Thank you your highness merry Christmas to you all we wish you and your family many blessing and great health may god always bless your country with love and peace
— marykmartinez (@marykmartinez5o) December 25, 2022

We appreciate your wishes for Christmas time bringing to everyone the reason to share goodness and solidarity.
— Ornella (@Orni1906) December 25, 2022

Social media users also praised Sheikh Mohamed for setting "a good example" in extending best wishes to people practicing other religious practices.

You gave a good example for a moslem, because in my country, the issue of whether or not a Moslem is forbidden to give Christmas greetings has always been a debate that has no end and is a fixed agenda at the end of every year.
— Tiaraagan (@tiaraagan) December 25, 2022

The Christian community in the UAE celebrated the festival of Christmas by attending masses in large numbers in churches across the country.

Thousands of people attended church masses especially held to celebrate Christmas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Prayer services started as early as 4:30 a.m. in some churches and some parishes set up additional masses to accommodate the massive number of attendees. Worshippers sang carols and church choirs as they marked the occasion.

After two years of COVID-19 restrictions, Christians in the UAE celebrated the festival without any restrictions. Several malls, hotels, and houses were decked up with Christmas decorations and trees as the festivities engulfed the country. People exchanged gifts and shared happiness with their family and friends.