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Armenians in the United Arab Emirates

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Armenians in the United Arab Emirates
Total population
5,000
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi,Dubai,Sharjah
Languages
Armenian•Arabic
Religion
Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenians in United Arab Emiratesrefers to ethnic Armenians living in theUnited Arab Emirates.They number around 5,000.[1]

The Armenians live mainly inDubai,SharjahandAbu Dhabi

Migration history

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Many Armenians originating fromLebanon,Syriaand other Arab countries were attracted by the economic opportunities provided by the UAE, and they came to the UAE for jobs. Although there are no clear statistics and their numbers vary, over time their number has increased to around 3,000. Recently there are also economic migrants coming fromArmeniaandArmenians from Russia.

Religion

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Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic church inSharjah.

The majority of the Armenians in the United Arab Emirates are Armenian Apostolics (Orthodox Armenians) belonging to theArmenian Apostolic Churchand under the jurisdiction of theHoly See of Cilicia.

TheCatholicossate of the Great House of Cilicia(also known as the Holy See of Cilicia) has established the "Diocese of Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf Countries" headquartered in Kuwait, but also serving the Armenians in the Persian Gulf including UAE.

The Armenian Catholicossate, with the authorization and financial support of theSharjah Emirate,established the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church (in Armenian Sourp Krikor Lousavoritch Hye Arakelagan Yegeghetsi) in Al Yarmook, Sharjah, thus becoming the first ever Armenian church established in the United Arab Emirates.

The Catholicos Representative of the Diocese is Bishop Mesrob Sarkissian who also represents the Armenian population of Qatar. Reverend Aram Dekermendjian is the parish Priest of the Armenian Community in Sharjah and in the capital of Abu Dhabi, Bishop Vache Balekjian.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ArmenianDiaspora websiteArchivedMay 11, 2013, at theWayback Machine
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