Supreme Armenian Patriarch hails UAE as global model of peaceful coexistence

SHARJAH, 21st May, 2019 (WAM) -- Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, lauded the UAE leadership for its historical championing of respect and acceptance for all religious communities at the special session of Sharjah Ramadan Majlis on Monday night.

He particularly praised H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his kindness and generosity to the Armenian Christian community in the emirate, while addressing the packed house held at Al Majaz Amphitheatre. The Patriarch also commended the Ruler for granting the permission to build Armenian church that was once of the first churches in Sharjah and the UAE.

He also revealed that H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, during a visit to Armenia in 2006, had ordered the rebuilding of a historical Christian monastery in the country.

Karekin II congratulated the UAE leadership and people for developing a global model of peaceful coexistence and acceptance. He paid rich tributes to the UAE’s founding father late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his all-embracing vision and leadership.

The Patriarch hailed the centuries-old, historically close and robust relations between the Arabs and Armenians. Armenian refugees, fleeing persecution, suffering and genocide elsewhere, had found protection and sanctuary in a number of countries in the Middle East, he said, and added, that even today, there are thousands of Armenians living in peace and security across the Arab world.

The Supreme Leader of global Armenian Community referred to the Blue Mosque in the Armenian capital Yerevan that remains a symbol of historical Armenian-Muslim relations.

Condemning religious extremism and terrorism in strongest terms, he said that it is dangerous and unacceptable to present conflicts in religious light to pursue political goals.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rashad Salem, distinguished Islamic scholar and Chancellor of Al Qasimia University of Sharjah, complimented the Armenian Patriarch on his message of love and peace, emphasising that Islam sees humanity as one family of God.

The Chancellor cited the earliest model of peaceful coexistence and acceptance that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, offered to the world as the Treaty of Medina, offering peace and security to religious minorities living in Muslim lands. He stressed the common roots of Islam, Christianity and Judaism saying the three monotheistic religions stem from the same source and preach the same message of love, peace and acceptance.

The fourth session of the Sharjah Ramadan Majlis was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council; Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Sharjah Media Council; and a number of other sheikhs, dignitaries and officials.

The Sharjah Ramadan Majlis is hosted by Sharjah Press Club of Sharjah Government Media Bureau.