A muted Lebanese-Armenian Christmas celebration marked a year filled with tragedy. Mahmoud Rida/The National
A muted Lebanese-Armenian Christmas celebration marked a year filled with tragedy. Mahmoud Rida/The National
A muted Lebanese-Armenian Christmas celebration marked a year filled with tragedy. Mahmoud Rida/The National
A muted Lebanese-Armenian Christmas celebration marked a year filled with tragedy. Mahmoud Rida/The National

War and Covid-19 make a muted Christmas for Lebanese-Armenians


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Hundreds of worshippers gathered on Wednesday for a muted Christmas celebration at Lebanon’s biggest Armenian church.

A day before the country went into another lockdown, the Catholicosate of Cilicia,  in Beirut's Antelias suburb, welcomed worshippers.

It was the Armenian community’s biggest religious gathering since a deadly explosion hit Beirut's port in August and war erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan the very next month.

The usual midnight service was cancelled due to the pandemic but families gathered in front of the church for a mid-day mass in the open, with empty chairs separating attendees to maintain Covid-19 safety precautions.

Volunteers handed out face masks while worshippers, dressed in their Sunday best, took pictures in the sunny courtyard.

Armenians, who represent roughly four per cent of Lebanon's population, celebrate Christmas on January 6 instead of December 25. Both dates are national holidays.

Arshag Kokonian, 55, said the festive season this year has given his community hope and strength as both Lebanon and Armenia face immense challenges.

“This was a difficult year for the Lebanese in general and Armenians in particular,” Mr Kokonian said. “Difficult days lie ahead but the birth of Christ gives us hope that peace will come to Lebanon and Armenia and that justice will never die.”

The celebration follows the five-month anniversary of the port explosion, which left more than 200 people dead and destroyed vast parts of the capital.

The blast compounded an economic downturn already worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and a year-long financial crisis.

Vartan Balikian, 48, said his faith had given him solace even as the economic situation deteriorated over the past few years.

"Every year we wish for things to get better and it doesn't work out. The situation is getting more and more difficult," he tells The National. "But we place all our hope in God, He gives us strength."

Less than two months after the Beirut explosion, war erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians refer to as Artsakh.

The conflict resulted in mass displacement and casualties on both sides.

Moushir Donabedian, an elderly Syrian-Armenian man from the Kurdish city of Qamishli came to Beirut to celebrate Christmas with his children, who live in Lebanon.

Mr Donabedian condemned Turkey’s involvement in the conflict alongside Azerbaijan. He said Armenians felt abandoned by the international community.

“This year was particularly difficult especially because of the Turkish war on Armenia. I hope the new year brings better days to everyone.”

Despite mounting difficulties at home in Lebanon and in their ancestral homeland of Armenia, worshippers said they were happy to reunite with their family and friends before the new lockdown.

Lebanese-Armenians sit outside during a Christmas service. Mahmoud Rida/The National
Lebanese-Armenians sit outside during a Christmas service. Mahmoud Rida/The National

Sevan Garabedian, 53, told The National this year's celebrations had filled her with hope.

“I am glad we were finally able to go to Church and see the beautiful faces of our loved ones and friends. Hopefully more cheerful Christmases will come.”

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Seven tips from Emirates NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs  (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

LIST OF INVITEES

Shergo Kurdi (am) 
Rayhan Thomas
Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
Matthew Jordan
AbdulRahman Al Mansour (am)
Matteo Manassero
Alfie Plant
Othman Al Mulla
Shaun Norris

Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

Results

6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.

9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.