Christmas celebrations are back in the Holy Land after being curtailed by coronavirus last year with festivities happening across Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth.
The detection of the Omicron variant has temporarily stopped Israelis and Palestinians welcoming tourists, since a two-week ban on foreign visitors came into force on Monday.
If the border restrictions are not lifted in time for Christmas, then worshippers abroad can watch services online, while residents have a rare opportunity to enjoy the festive season without crowds.
Bethlehem
Christian pilgrims are drawn to Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, to see the place where they believe Jesus was born. A grotto within the Church of the Nativity marks the precise location, according to worshippers, and is an important pilgrimage site.
A Christmas tree rises above the church on the square outside, topped with a golden star. Its lights will be switched on during a ceremony on December 4, which is open to all.
The church itself hosts numerous services in the run-up to Christmas, with midnight mass on December 24 usually drawing large numbers. After attendance at the ceremony was strictly limited last year, the municipality said this month that visitors from outside Bethlehem would be welcome.
Artisans will gather in Bethlehem to sell their wares at the Christmas market, from December 2 to December 12.
Jerusalem
While Jerusalem is at the heart of Easter events as the place where churchgoers believe Jesus was crucified, the city plays second fiddle to Bethlehem at Christmas.
Advent, the period leading up to Christmas and which started on November 28, was marked the evening before by a pilgrimage from Jerusalem to Bethlehem by the Custos of the Holy Land.
Although attention is turned to the West Bank city, the religious holiday nonetheless remains important to residents of the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City. Christmas decorations have been strung up, while the neighbourhood’s scout group is expected to hold a parade later in the month.
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, known as the crucifixion site, clergymen are due to hold a private midnight mass on December 24.
There are public celebrations at the YMCA building, which has perhaps the city’s most impressive decorations, for a Christmas Eve concert featuring various musical ensembles.
Nazareth
Not to be forgotten, residents in Jesus’s home town claim to have the tallest Christmas tree in the Middle East. The tree’s lights are switched on on December 1.
The Arab-Israeli city, whose residents are also known as Palestinian citizens of Israel, sits north of the West Bank and is the gateway to the northern Galilee region.
During December there are Christmas-themed tours through Nazareth, which has a charming Old City, and a festive market which runs until December 11.
The festivities culminate on Christmas Eve, with a parade through the city centre and a fireworks display. Midnight mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Annunciation, where Christians believe an angel told Mary she would give birth to the son of God.
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Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
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Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000
Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8
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Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm
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Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km
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Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
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Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
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Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Racecard
2pm Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m
2.30pm Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m
3pm Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
3.30pm Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m
4pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.30pm Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m
5pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
5.30pm Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m
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2.30pm Conclusion
3pm Al Battar
3.30pm Golden Jaguar
4pm Al Motayar
4.30pm Tapi Sioux
5pm Leadership
5.30pm Dahawi
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
