16-18 January 2017, the annual meeting of the Council of Churches in the Gulf Countries, comprising the Anglican, Evangelical and Orthodox Churches, which are officially recognized by the Gulf countries, was held in Abu Dhabi. The Very Rev Mesrob Sarkissian, Pontifical Vicar for UAE and Qatar and Executive Committee member of the CCG, represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Also attending was HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Minister of State for Tolerance. After the meeting, the participants were taken to the Sir Bani Yas islands of Abu Dhabi to visit the ruins of a 7th Century Christian monastery.
The members of the Council meet each year to share information and discuss common concerns.
