Proud moment

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa patronised a Commemoration Day ceremony, in the presence of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, at Al-Sakhir Palace yesterday.

HM the King was received on arrival by Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, National Guard Chief Lieutenant-General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

HM the King headed to the podium and the Royal Anthem was played. Verses from the Holy Quran were recited. The artillery then fired one shot for a minute of silence to be observed and then came a second shot signalling the end of the one-minute silence. 

Sharia Court of Cassation Judge and Al-Fateh Islamic Mosque Imam Shaikh Adnan bin Abdulla Al-Qattan then delivered the martyr’s sermon and supplication. 

Five F-16 jets were parading in tribute to the five martyrs of the nation who sacrificed their lives in Ma’rib battle. 

HM the King watered a palm-tree, symbol of permanent life, then went past the commemorative plaque, which features names of historic battles that Bahrain fought in defence of its Arab identity and sovereignty. 

The historic Al-Zubara battle was a defining moment, which remained engraved in national annals as Nasr bin Mathkour forces were then defeated, paving the way for Bahrain’s Arab identity to be confirmed in 1197 Hijri, corresponding to 1783 AD. 

HM the King then headed to the National Action Charter Monument, where he was saluted and congratulated by senior officers on the National and Accession Days.

HM the King then delivered a keynote speech marking the First Commemoration Day, paying homage to the valiant fallen Bahrainis who sacrificed their lives and died honourably in the battlefield, performing their sacred duties. 

HM the King saluted the nation’s fallen heroes, who embody the values of valour, courage and sacrifice, describing them as a source of pride for all Bahrainis and a shining beacon which will inspire the coming generations and instil in them patriotism at its highest sense, ever since Bahrain was established in the era of the founding father. 

“The annual December 17 Commemoration Day will remain a shining milestone for a nation proud of its heroes who sacrificed their lives, in Bahrain and abroad, to achieve justice and defend the homeland’s security and sovereignty,” HM the King said. 

“They symbolise sacrifice and dedication, following in the steps of founding fathers and forefathers, on whose legacy we have built our national march,” HM King Hamad added. 

Every fallen martyr, HM the King said, is a source pride for us as well as for their families and fellow soldiers, as they sacrificed their lives for Bahrain’s flag to fly high among nations. 

HM the King paid tribute to fallen heroes, who made history with their bravery, which will keep their names as well as the names of their families engraved in national annals. “Every martyr who sacrificed his life for the homeland is a son for each Bahraini family in our closely-knit nation,”HM King Hamad remarked. 

HM the King also saluted the martyrs’ families, hailing their resilience and high spirit of patriotism, paying tribute to citizens’ honourale stances and loyalty to their country in all circumstances.