Armenians in the United Arab Emirates

[1] The Armenians live mainly in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Many Armenians originating from Lebanon, Syria and other Arab countries were attracted by the economic opportunities provided by the UAE, and they came to the UAE for jobs.

Recently there are also economic migrants coming from Armenia and Armenians from Russia.

The Catholicossate 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 the Sharjah 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.

Reverend Aram Dekermendjian is the parish Priest of the Armenian Community in Sharjah and in the capital of Abu Dhabi, Bishop Vache Balekjian.