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Dubai: Extra security measures at churches continue to remain in place in Jebel Ali and Oud Mehta Road.
Parking areas at churches in both places have been cordoned off by police.
"Dubai Police have made alternative parking arrangement 200 yards from the church premises in Jebel Ali," said Daniel Thomas, Pastor of Mar Thoma church in Jebel Ali.
The pastor said the police had requested the church to cooperate for the routine security measures.
"A police control room has been set up in front of the church complex and people carrying bags are being checked. Vehicles of the church administration are also on the check list. I live inside the church premises. I got special permission to get my vehicle. We have provided the police with number plates of some of our buses and administration vehicles so that things can be eased out for them to enter," said Pastor Thomas.
He said the security measures will continue to be in place until Easter, which falls on March 23.
Festive season crowd
"During festival season there are more than 6,000 worshippers who throng the premises to attend the service. As the holy week starts and the numbers of worshippers are expected to swell," said Pastor Thomas.
"The police are going on with their work and there is no disturbance to the service at all."
Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Director of Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said there are routine checkups and procedures going on. He said usually when there are activities, these security procedures are carried out. He said there is nothing to worry about.
The churches located in Jebel Ali include the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the Dubai Evangelical Church Centre, the Anglican Christ Church, Jacobite Syrian Church and the St. Francis Catholic Church.
Those located at the Oud Mehta Road include St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Holy Trinity Church, which houses churches belonging to 25 denominations.
Complaints
However, a majority of church goers at the Oud Mehta Road complained of a lack of parking spaces and heavy traffic congestion. Of the three gates only, one was open on Sunday and pupils left St. Mary's school earlier than usual.
Teachers and parents who spoke to Gulf News on conditions of anonymity said they were taken aback with all the police presence at the gates of St. Mary's school and at the adjacent parking spaces.
A teacher whose bag was searched at the gates of the school said: "There was checking going on in the morning. My hand bag was searched. We were informed by the school that these are just routine security measures that are being carried out. Even the school buses were allowed to come up to the school only for 10 to 15 minutes."
A parent who went to drop his children at the school said: "Some people were being stopped at the gates but fortunately I was not stopped. My two children were with me. I was informed that the school will end about half-an-hour before the usual time."
- With inputs by Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
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