The Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, held a reception in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Friday, Janurary 26th, 2024.
Minister Nahyan warmly greeted His Holiness, expressing appreciation for the visit. The Minister and His Holiness first met in 2016 and have since maintained a longstanding connection. Together, they inaugurated the Armenian Prelacy and Khanoyan Armenian school. His Holiness recalled their friendship, emphasizing the Minister’s support for the Prelate and the Armenian community in the Emirates. Memories of their joint participation in an international coexistence conference in Athens were revisited, with His Holiness commending Minister Nahyan’s efforts in the UAE. He acknowledged Sheikh Nahyan’s unwavering dedication and emphasized the Armenian community’s commitment to fostering religious and cultural coexistence in the United Arab Emirates.
The event was attended by dignitaries such as the prelate of the UAE and Qatar, HG Bp Mesrob Sarkissian, co-Chair of the Central Council of Catholicosate, Krikor Mahseredjian, chair of the National Representative Assembly of the diocese, Varoujan Nerguizian, chair of the Executive Council of the diocese, Jirayr Habibian, representatives from the Executive Council, benefactor Ara Khanoyan, director of the Information and Communication Department of the Catholicosate, V. Rev. Fr. Hovagim Panjarjian, and the director of the Inter-Church and Inter-Religious Relations in the Middle East, V. Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aprahamian. Notably, former Iraqi President Barham Salih, ambassadors, and diplomatic representatives from various countries also participated in the dinner.
Concluding the evening, His Holiness presented the Minister with a souvenir as a token of appreciation.
