"LET US THANK GOD FOR HIS INNUMERABLE GIFTS" --- The Extension & Inauguration of the New Hall --- It all began in November 1996, when the Vatican Foreign Minister, His Grace Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran laid the foundation stone for the new hall annexed to the Church of Our Lady of Arabia, Ahmadi. This was based on the then status and the speculation that the construction would begin in the near future. A dream comes true - The interior of the new hall However, elation turned to disappointment as the proposal was turned down and shelved. Not discouraged by this drawback, H.L. Bishop Francis Micallef, the clergy and the parishioners pursued the matter with perseverance, prayers and faith, and once again the proposal was revived, when in August 2000, the church was advised that the new hall had been sanctioned. Excavation for the annexe started in October 2000 and slowly but surely the building and the surrounding landscape took shape. Though the completion date was scheduled for April 4, 2001, the building along with the landscaping was completed on March 29, 2001 and the handing over ceremony was held on April 1, 2001. A view of the new hall (annexe) from the outside. The inauguration and opening ceremony was held on April 17, 2001 and H.L. Bishop Francis Micallef, Msgr. Giuseppe De Andrea – Chargé D’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuwait and Fr. John Chrysostom performed the ribbon cutting ceremony. The addition of the new hall to the existing Church is a gift from the Kuwait Government and the Kuwait Oil Company to all the faithful. We express our sincere thanks to them for giving the Catholic community the opportunity and place to practise their faith. We would also like to extend our thanks to the clergy, the parishioners and all who assisted and were instrumental in making this dream come true. See Also: "A GIFT FROM KUWAIT OIL COMPANY (KOC)"