Bahrain land of co-existence, tolerance, says Rev Hani Aziz

Manama : Pastor of Bahrain’s National Evangelical Church, Rev. Hani Aziz, yesterday praised Bahrain’s tolerance and freedom of religion  saying, “Anyone who visits Bahrain cannot leave it because he finds in it a wonderful model of tolerance, co-existence, solidarity and love.”

Rev. Hani was speaking on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Forum for Tolerance which convened at the Representatives Council headquarters yesterday. 

“Bahrain is indeed the land of co-existence and tolerance,” said Rev. Hani adding: “Those who live in Bahrain will, in fact, realise the meaning of tolerance and co-existence in an unstable world.” 

He described the King Hamad Global Centre for Inter-Faith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-Existence as a light illuminating the world and a path for tolerance and Co-existence. 

Bahraini people, Rev. Hani said, are tolerant by nature, devout and open to all civilisations. “The freedom that is given to Christians in the Kingdom to exercise their faith and worship is easily noticeable,” he said.  

He pointed out that Bahrain has 18 churches under the umbrella of the Social Development Ministry, “a number which is bigger than the needs of the Christians in Bahrain”. 

Rev. Hani thanked His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Bahrain people, lauding the role of the security officers in ensuring security for all to exercise their religious faiths freely.