Sana’a – March 2004. The Grand Magistry of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George sent a high-level delegation to the Republic of Yemen, from Tuesday 23 March 2004 until Thursday 25 March 2004. The visit took place at the joint invitation of the Yemen Government as well as Muslim religious and legal leaders.
The Delegation was headed by the Order’s Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, and was accompanied by his wife, HRH The Duchess of Calabria, Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate of the Order in Great Britain and Ireland with special responsibility for inter-church and inter-faith dialogue, and Mr Nicola Parascandolo, Vice Secretary General of the Grand Magistry.
At the same ceremony, the Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, personally received the insignia of Grand Cross of the Order of Vasco Nu ñez de Balboa of the Republic of Panama.
Yemen was included as part of the wider programme of visits to the Middle East as it is a predominately poor Muslim country which has suffered from a rise in terrorism in recent years, despite a long history of Christian, Muslim, Jewish coexistence. This invitation was also agreed following the visit to Britain a few months ago of a number of Yemeni religious figures that spoke of the importance of interfaith dialogue.
The delegation arrived at Sana’a Airport and was met on arrival by among others, the Yemeni Minister for Endowment and Guidance, H.E. Mr Hamoud Mohammad Qubad, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Yemen, H.E. Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte, and the Ambassador of Yemen to the United Kingdom, H.E. Dr Mutahar Abdullah Alsaeede.
The delegation were entertained for a private dinner hosted by the Italian Ambassador at his residence in Sana’a.