DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — All masses in Dubai have been cancelled because of the Middle East war, two Catholic churches in the United Arab Emirates posted on their websites Friday, just ahead of Easter.

Following government directives, “all Masses at our Church are cancelled until further notice,” St Francis of Assisi Church at Jebel Ali in Dubai posted.

The Jebel Ali coastal area has been hit several times by missiles and drones fired by Iran at neighbouring Gulf states in retaliation for the Israeli-United States (US) offensive launched on February 28.

“Parishioners are requested to refrain from visiting the Church premises, in the interest of safety and community well-being,” the announcement added.

St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai published a similar announcement on its website, and said Good Friday’s mass would be live-streamed online instead, on the church’s YouTube channel.

Despite the announcements, some parishioners prayed on the pavement outside the high walls of the St Mary’s compound on Friday.

“God is everywhere, but we needed to come here to feel a stronger connection,” said Karen, a Filipina in her forties. She added that she also planned to watch the live stream on YouTube.