Armenians in Kuwait
Encyclopedia
The Armenians in Kuwait are people of Armenian descent living in Kuwait
. The Armenian population reached its peak of 12,000. But after the Iraqi invasions, the numbers of the Armenians resident in Kuwait greatly diminished to just 500 as they left the country.
As of 2007, there has been a gradual increase and now the Armenians are roughly 2,500
and Egypt
in the 1950s and the 1960s.
The first wave of Armenian immigrants to Kuwait were people looking to escape the turmoil in other Arab states. They were mainly skilled craftsmen who found work in Kuwait’s light industry, auto repair, auto body, plumbing, electrical and service sector.
By the mid-1980s, this Armenian population of Kuwait reached its peak of 12,000. During and after Operation Desert Storm, the population diminished as Armenians immigrated to North America. As of 2007, there are roughly 2,500 Armenians in Kuwait.
As a result of the Armenian Genocide
, many survivors were forced to first settle in the Levant including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iraq. In 1958, the first wave of Arab nationalism
appeared in Syria
and Egypt. This did not sit well with the large Armenian communities in these countries. The establishment of the United Arab Republic triggered a mass exodus of Armenians to Lebanon
(from Syria) and to Canada
and the United States (from Egypt). Some Syrian-Armenians immigrated to Kuwait, when it was still a British mandate
then.
Considerable numbers of Armenians from Iran resided in Kuwait as early as 1960's. Prior to the first gulf war their numbers easily exceeded few thousands.Their population dropped sharply during the war.After the war some of them returned to Kuwait.
The first settlers in Kuwait were those of skilled craftsmen who found work in Kuwait’s light industry, auto repair, auto body, plumbing, electrical and service sector. The settlers thrived in Kuwait and soon, more and more Armenians immigrated to Kuwait.
A new influx of young Armenians created the need to establish an Armenian school in Kuwait, which was spear headed by Vigen Shaghzo (aka Vicken Shaghzoian). In 1960, founders Vigen and Arshavir Shaghzo and the Armenian community opened its first Armenian School and church in Kuwait. By the mid-1980s, the Armenian community of Kuwait numbered 12,000 people.
its tiny neighbour. During this time, many Kuwaiti-Armenians left to neighbouring Arab countries such as Syria, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. Other Armenians fled to Baghdad
by car, from where they fled to Syria.
The remaining Armenians were mostly workers no way of escaping. During the invasion, the Armenian school and church were shut down and guarded in order to stop looters from attacking the institutions. The Armenian institutions remained unscathed during the war.
After the Iraqis were driven out of Kuwait by the coalition forces, the Armenian community had largesly diminished to about 500 Armenians. The war also paved the way for a mass exodus of Kuwaiti-Armenians to North America
n countries such as Canada
and the United States.
Today, the Armenian school in Kuwait has room for Armenian children from kindergarten to 12 grade. The school, the only foreign institution which is allowed to incorporate religion into its curriculum, now has nearly 300 students, and a staff of 25 full time teachers, including 17 Armenians.
This is certainly lower than pre-war levels which had enrollment numbers up to 700 students. The Armenian community is slowly rebuilding to try and bring back its better days of the mid-1980s.
and under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia. Kuwait is part of the Prelacy of Kuwait and the Persian Gulf established by the See of Cilicia (also known as the Cathoilicossate of the Great House of Cilicia), with head office in Kuwait itself.
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. The Armenian population reached its peak of 12,000. But after the Iraqi invasions, the numbers of the Armenians resident in Kuwait greatly diminished to just 500 as they left the country.
As of 2007, there has been a gradual increase and now the Armenians are roughly 2,500
History
The first known Armenian presence in Kuwait came immediately after the rise of Arab nationalism in SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in the 1950s and the 1960s.
The first wave of Armenian immigrants to Kuwait were people looking to escape the turmoil in other Arab states. They were mainly skilled craftsmen who found work in Kuwait’s light industry, auto repair, auto body, plumbing, electrical and service sector.
By the mid-1980s, this Armenian population of Kuwait reached its peak of 12,000. During and after Operation Desert Storm, the population diminished as Armenians immigrated to North America. As of 2007, there are roughly 2,500 Armenians in Kuwait.
As a result of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
, many survivors were forced to first settle in the Levant including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iraq. In 1958, the first wave of Arab nationalism
Arab nationalism
Arab nationalism is a nationalist ideology celebrating the glories of Arab civilization, the language and literature of the Arabs, calling for rejuvenation and political union in the Arab world...
appeared in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Egypt. This did not sit well with the large Armenian communities in these countries. The establishment of the United Arab Republic triggered a mass exodus of Armenians to Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
(from Syria) and to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States (from Egypt). Some Syrian-Armenians immigrated to Kuwait, when it was still a British mandate
British Mandate
British Mandate may refer to:*British Mandate for Palestine*British Mandate of Mesopotamia...
then.
Considerable numbers of Armenians from Iran resided in Kuwait as early as 1960's. Prior to the first gulf war their numbers easily exceeded few thousands.Their population dropped sharply during the war.After the war some of them returned to Kuwait.
The first settlers in Kuwait were those of skilled craftsmen who found work in Kuwait’s light industry, auto repair, auto body, plumbing, electrical and service sector. The settlers thrived in Kuwait and soon, more and more Armenians immigrated to Kuwait.
A new influx of young Armenians created the need to establish an Armenian school in Kuwait, which was spear headed by Vigen Shaghzo (aka Vicken Shaghzoian). In 1960, founders Vigen and Arshavir Shaghzo and the Armenian community opened its first Armenian School and church in Kuwait. By the mid-1980s, the Armenian community of Kuwait numbered 12,000 people.
Armenians during the Iraqi invasion
In August 1990, Iraq declared war on Kuwait and invadedInvasion of Kuwait
The Invasion of Kuwait, also known as the Iraq-Kuwait War, was a major conflict between the Republic of Iraq and the State of Kuwait, which resulted in the seven-month long Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, which subsequently led to direct military intervention by United States-led forces in the Gulf...
its tiny neighbour. During this time, many Kuwaiti-Armenians left to neighbouring Arab countries such as Syria, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. Other Armenians fled to Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
by car, from where they fled to Syria.
The remaining Armenians were mostly workers no way of escaping. During the invasion, the Armenian school and church were shut down and guarded in order to stop looters from attacking the institutions. The Armenian institutions remained unscathed during the war.
After the Iraqis were driven out of Kuwait by the coalition forces, the Armenian community had largesly diminished to about 500 Armenians. The war also paved the way for a mass exodus of Kuwaiti-Armenians to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n countries such as Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States.
Re-establishment of Kuwaiti-Armenian Community
The Armenian population of Kuwait has slowly grown since the end of the First Gulf War. The population now numbers around 2,500 Armenians.Today, the Armenian school in Kuwait has room for Armenian children from kindergarten to 12 grade. The school, the only foreign institution which is allowed to incorporate religion into its curriculum, now has nearly 300 students, and a staff of 25 full time teachers, including 17 Armenians.
This is certainly lower than pre-war levels which had enrollment numbers up to 700 students. The Armenian community is slowly rebuilding to try and bring back its better days of the mid-1980s.
Religion
Most of the Armenian population belongs to the Armenian Apostolic ChurchArmenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
and under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia. Kuwait is part of the Prelacy of Kuwait and the Persian Gulf established by the See of Cilicia (also known as the Cathoilicossate of the Great House of Cilicia), with head office in Kuwait itself.