President’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates

In the framework of his official visit to the United Arab Emirates, President Serzh Sargsyan visited today the Armenian Church of Holy Martyrs in Abu Dhabi, the Ara Knanoyan Sunday School of the Church, the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed, and the Embassy of Armenia in the UAE. The land slot for the construction of the Armenian Church in Aby Dhabi was gifted by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan in 2006. The newly constructed Church was consecrated on December 12, 2014 and the same day was founded the Armenian National Prelacy of Abu Dhabi. The Ara Knanoyan Sunday School of the Church started its works in May 2016, and currently educates 36 pupils. In the courtyard of the Church there is a cross-stone dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

During his visit to the Church of Holy Martyrs, President Sargsyan laid flowers at the cross-stone and paid tribute to the victims of the Genocide. After the Te Deum prayer held in the Church the President of Armenia made a statement in which he spoke about the role of the Church in the preservation of our national identity and survival of our people. The President also expressed gratitude to the ruling family of the UAE in the person of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Emirate, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan who made possible the construction of the Armenian Church of Holy Martyrs. Serzh Sargsyan underscored that this Church, located at the heart of the Arab world, is a vivid testimony of the religious tolerance, mutual respect and sympathy which create fertile soil for the peaceful coexistence of the representatives of different religions. At the National Prelacy in Abu Dhabi the President of Armenia held a brief meeting with the representatives of the Armenian community and clergy.
During his visit to the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed – the President and founder of the UAE, Serzh Sargsyan at the mausoleum located inside the Mosque paid tribute to the memory of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and made an inscription in the Book of Honorary Guests. Later, there took place the ceremony of exchanging gifts.
“The contribution of the founder, President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan to the establishment and flourishing of this wonderful country is invaluable.

During his reign, laid were the foundations for the Armenian-UAE high level interstate cooperation for which I express gratitude of the Armenian people and my own,” wrote the President of Armenia.

At the conclusion of the first day of his visit to the UAE, Serzh Sargsyan in Abu Dhabi met with the representatives of the local Armenian community. The President spoke with our compatriots residing in the Emirate about the results of the meetings held on the first day of his visit, about the current stage of the Armenian-UAE interstate friendly relations and the prospects of the relations which have deep historical roots. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the Armenia-Spyurk relations and importance of consolidating the potential of the nation for the resolution of the issues of pan-Armenian importance and empowerment of Fatherland.

At the meeting, the President of Armenia awarded a group of community members with high state awards. For the considerable contribution to the strengthening and development of the Armenia-Spyurk relations and years-long patriotic work Hrayr Soghomonian, Ara Khanoyan and Harutyun Ohanessian were awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal.