|
Azad-Hye Badouhan (Window) Project
This is a
project where UAE Armenians express their views about community and other
issues.
(16/12/2008) C. Grogan from
the Armenian Community in Dubai said: There are so many Armenian families and
individuals in Sharjah and Dubai that have difficulty in attending the Church
services, only because their financial means are not sufficient to pay for
transfer expenses.
These people are neglected by the others, although all they are asking for is to
attend the Church.
I believe measures should be taken to facilitate the presence of our needy
compatriots amid us (a bus service would be a good idea). Their presence could be combined with parallel activities
that can be arranged during and after Church service. For example it is possible
to work with them and attract their presence in the Church by encouraging them
to prepare home made items and handwork and create a sort of continuous bazaar
in the church yard during Fridays, an act that will help the livelihood of these
families and will create a certain element of community support and compassion.
Besides the fact that it can revive some of our best-known national cooking and
handicraft traditions.
The main idea is to create a sort of activity around the Church that will change
the present-day idea of churchgoing as a mere ritual. For this purpose the
ladies’ union should be revived.
The 10th anniversary of the Church is something good and memorable but it is
after all a one-day event, which will fade out by time. The essence of a
community life is something totally different than taking commemorative photos.
We need actions that last for much longer time and have substantial influence on
our population and things that can practically bond our believers with the
church and fellow compatriots.
(25/11/2008)
E.M. is a very
communicative personality. Once he knew the subject of our discussion was the
Armenian community, he felt comfortable and seemed eager to talk openly and to
express his views without reservation. He lives in Sharjah.
He said that the Armenian Council has neglected the young and is not catering
for their needs. He remembers a bowling event that happened few years ago in
Ajman. Since then he does not remember anything related to the youth in this
community.
Location is not a problem to E.M. He can go wherever needed in order to attend
an Armenian event. "Traffic does not scare me off. Just tell me there is an
event that suits my needs and I am ready to attend", he explained.
The monthly calendar of events in the community is very weak, he said. Many
things could be done in order to improve this situation.
"I am sure dozens of Armenians are arriving every week in this booming country.
There should be someone, maybe a body, who could keep track of these arrivals
and see how they can be integrated in the society. It is important to know what
talents and capabilities these new comers bring with them and how they can
contribute to the wellness of the community, besides providing them with
solutions about their ordinary problems", he said, emphasizing that the
traditional events in 24 April, 28 May and 21 September are not enough to create
community bonds.
*Photo taken from the new
premises of the Embassy of Armenia in Abu Dhabi.
|
