Press Release
On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 and Thursday, February, 28, 2013, the 19th National Representative Assembly of the Armenian Church in the Arabian Gulf Countries held its two-day consultations at Pierre Keusseyan hall, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, under the auspices of His Grace, Bishop Shahe Panossian.
During its two-day meeting, the Assembly reviewed the annual reports of the Executive Councils and evaluated the various aspects of spiritual, administrative, financial and social events within the region of the Arabian Gulf, it also appraised the annual activities of the Executive Councils and subordinate committees and proposed a set of new recommendations for the future.
Various issues and challenges of interest to the Armenian communities in the Gulf region were on the agenda.
The Assembly also reviewed the Prelacy’s current financial budget; discussed the proposed new administrative structure within the Prelacy; evaluated building plans and land acquisition issues in Kuwait, Qatar and Abu Dhabi regions; evaluated the Prelacy’s new by-laws’ verification process; elected new delegates for the Armenian Diocesan world Assembly that takes place annually in Antelias, Lebanon; reviewed community plans for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; renewed its commitment to the ongoing efforts to aid the Armenian communities in Syria and directed the Executive Councils to appropriately observe,within the Prelacy’s jurisdiction, the year of the Armenian Mother through special annual events and actions.
After thorough deliberations, the Assembly elected members of the Executive Councils to the following regions:
Kuwait Executive Council members
- Mr. Vartan Narinian
- Mr. Raffi Hovsepian
- Mr. Zareh Hagopian
- Mr. Thomas Ouzatmajian
- Dr. Krikor Tomassian
- Mr. Vahan Mardirossian
- Mr. Armen Armoudjian
Stand-Ins
- Mr. Yeghig Garboushian
- Mr. Anoushavan Nazarian
Dubai and Northern Emirates Executive Council members
- Mrs. Nirva Nerguizian
- Mrs. Arpy Tutunjian
- Mrs. Vartoug Karagulleyan
- Mr. Ara Keusseyan
- Mr. Sam Bezdigian
- Mr. Bob Parseghian
- Mr. Hagop Joukjoukian
- Mr. Khajag Hovsepian
- Mr. Raffi Baghdoud
Stand-Ins
- Mrs. Talin Bedrossian
- Mr. Tino Chiftjian
Abu Dhabi Executive Council members
- Mr. Setrak Der Melkonian
- Mr. Hagop Arslanian
- Mr. Raffi Simonian
- Mr. Sebouh Toukhmanian
- Mr. Pakrad Balabanian
- Mrs. Anoushka Jonian
- Mr. Shant Tozligian
Stand-Ins
- Mr. Hrayr Daghlian
- Mrs. Ani Patanian
- Mr. Arthur Dabaghlian
Qatar Executive Council members
- Mr. Vartan Kouzoujian
- Mr. Steve Karamardian
- Mr. Nazo Der Sarkissian
- Mr. Serge Sabounjian
- Mr. Vahe Havanjian
- Mrs. Alin Khachadourian-Kilejian
- Mr. Zarmig Hallajian
Armenian Prelacy of Kuwait and The Arabian Gulf Countries
Diocesan Representative Assembly Executive Board