On October 5, the RA Ministry of Diaspora hosted Lebanese historian, writer, translator, publisher and founder of the Naji Naaman Cultural Center Naji Naaman, who has been granted the Medal of Gratitude by the decree of RA President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Armenia and for his contributions to the strengthening of cultural ties between Armenia and Lebanon.

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan cordially greeted the guest and stressed the fact that, in the year marking the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian people are expressing their gratitude to all the countries and individuals who have made their contributions to receive and support the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

“We are more than grateful to all those who stood by the Armenians’ side during those miserable years and to those who stayed with us after the genocide and made unwavering efforts for the recognition and condemnation of the crime. One of those devoted individuals is Mr. Naji Naaman who, as a historian and writer, always reflects on issues related to the Armenians in his books. Brilliant evidence of that is the book “Ongoing Genocide”, which was recently presented at Avetik Isahakyan Library of Yerevan. It’s not by chance that Naaman is one of the individuals who were awarded with the Medal of Gratitude by the decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia and on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” the minister said, adding that she was authorized by the RA President to grant the award to Naaman.

Accepting the high award, Naji Naaman said: “It’s a great honor for me to receive such an award. Of course, I didn’t work to receive a medal, but I believe I deserve it. I’m a historian. I’ve known the Armenians, learned about their difficult fate and seen their wonderful human attributes since childhood and have set a goal to conduct an in-depth study on the history of the Armenian people. I’ve come to the conclusion that impunity for the Armenian Genocide has paved the way for further genocides. Today, we are witnessing how atrocities are causing harm to human civilization. In my books and studies I have only been able to express some of the feelings that I have for the Armenian people.”

Congratulating Naji Naaman on receiving the award, Minister Hranush Hakobyan emphasized that his efforts for justice and the truth set an example, especially during these days when thousands of people are dying in Syria and becoming refugees and when centuries-old cultural values are being destroyed in front of the international community.

The Diaspora Armenian figures and employees of the RA Ministry of Diaspora attending the event congratulated and expressed words of gratitude to the renowned writer.