On May 28, Myrian Zaki and Muhammad Hanafi, creators of the first Arabic-language documentary (“Who Killed the Armenians?”) devoted to the Armenian Genocide, as well as members of the Armenian community of Egypt were hosted at the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

According to Hayern Aysor, the guests were welcomed by Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. “The year 2015 was a very important year for the Armenian people. We Armenians marked the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Several events and initiatives were held in almost all countries around the world, and one of the major events was the release of your film. You did a very important job for the Armenian people. With your film, you raised the awareness of the Arab World about the Armenian Genocide. It is very important when a foreigner talks about the tragedy of the Armenian people, though you are no longer foreigners for us Armenians. During your previous visit, you had several meetings with Armenia’s high-ranking officials and introduced Armenia to the Egyptians through your programs, for which we are also very grateful. Your efforts may serve as a strong impetus for the development of tourism in Armenia,” Hranush Hakobyan said.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to member of the Armenian National Committee of Egypt Armen Mazloumian and the entire staff for organizing the journalists’ visit to Armenia. Hranush Hakobyan considered this initiative very important and said it would further deepen the relations between Armenia and Egypt.

In her turn, well-known Arab journalist and one of the creators of the film “Who Killed the Armenians?” Myriam Zaki expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and said the following: “It is also a great honor for us to be hosted at the RA Ministry of Diaspora. I have great respect for active and strong women like you and am very grateful for your words of appreciation. We made this film with great pleasure. There were many obstacles, but we managed to overcome all those obstacles with your help, as well as with the help of the members and friends of the Armenian community of Egypt. Our contacts with Armenia and the Armenians during our previous visit helped us a lot to make this film,” Zaki said.

Muhammad Hanafi also considered it a great honor to be hosted at the RA Ministry of Diaspora and added the following: “I have special respect towards the Armenians, and I say this not because I am here with my Armenian friends. The Armenians truly have a magnetic force in Egypt and have made great contributions to different spheres in the country.”

Touching upon their film, Hanafi said the following: “The theme of our film could have been totally different, but after visiting Armenia and listening to you make a call to the entire world to recognize the Armenian Genocide, we changed the theme. I thank you for your words of appreciation.”

“I believe the greatest appreciation of your film in Armenia was the award that was granted by the President of the Republic of Armenia, and you, as the best friends of the Armenian people, deserve that appreciation,” the Minister said. In her turn, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan presented the guests with the album of Armenian Genocide monuments and memorials with the title “Monuments of Sorrow, Remembrance and Struggle” as a gift.