It was Christmas Day, the day of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who lived among us and died on the Cross for our salvation. I pray that people are not compelled to go to church on Christmas Day simply because it is a Holy Day of Obligation but because they genuinely want to express gratitude to Jesus for everything He has done for us.
This was also my first time celebrating Christmas abroad. While it was quite different from how we celebrate it back in the Philippines, I have come to realize that Christmas is not about us, it is about Him. No matter how one celebrates Christmas whether alone, struggling financially, or not in the best circumstances as long as it is Christ-centred, that should be more than enough!
Fortunately, in this predominantly Muslim country, there is a Catholic church we can go to, the St. Mary's Church in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. If you attend a Mass dedicated to the Filipino community, it almost feels like you never left the Philippines! Most of the attendees speak Tagalog, but I am often reluctant to engage in conversation because as a homegrown Mindanaoan, my Tagalog is not "Tagaloging" very well.
After the Mass, we went on a day tour to Al Jahili Fort, one of the many historical forts in the UAE. I'm not entirely sure if my assumptions about it are correct, but based on its name, I believe it was once a fortress or a military camp in the past. I should have read more about it beforehand to provide more useful information for those who might be interested. From what I’ve heard, the fort was built entirely out of mud, like hardened clay. That was easy to believe when I closely examined its structure. I found that I could rub off some of the material with my fingers. Given that rain is quite elusive in this country (sometimes occurring only once a year or not at all), it makes sense that the fort has managed to stand the test of time.
Stepping inside felt like travelling back in time, except for the modern restorations done to preserve it. There were paintings on display, and while I hoped they would tell a historical story, most of them seemed to be modern artistic interpretations of Emirati culture. They also offered Arabic coffee, which I assumed was authentic Karak before any additional ingredients were mixed in. We were handed booklets about the fort, and I initially planned to read them when I got home. However, my mother decided to keep them as a souvenir. Now, it's either lost or tucked away somewhere safe, and when I ask her for it, she will definitely refuses to show it!
One of the most fascinating parts of the fort was its round tower or round castle (I could look up the exact name, but I don't want to pause my writing flow). It looked like a massive version of a sandcastle except you could walk inside without destroying it! Out of curiosity, I climbed my way up, only to find that the passage to the uppermost level was blocked. That was a bit of a bummer, but hey, I’m just a visitor, and it was already a privilege that the fort was open to the public. From the higher level, I imagined what could have happened there in the past. I pictured myself as a king, commanding an army below to defend the fort or delivering a powerful speech before launching an attack against foreign invaders seeking to exploit my land.
All in all, it was an amazing experience, especially because history is one of my interests. Visiting Al Jahili Fort gave me a glimpse into the past and a deeper appreciation of how history shapes a place and its people.
More of these photos were uploaded in my nephew's Facebook account.
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