Bahrain promotes peace, dialogue and religious tolerance for all: Dr Al Zayani

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is sustaining efforts to consolidate tolerance, dialogue and common understanding among all religions, cultures and civilisations. The Kingdom also promotes respect for human rights and religious freedoms, following the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

This was emphasised by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani during his participation in the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief in London. The Minister shed light on the civilised record of Bahrain throughout the years in ensuring freedom of religion and belief, and openness to others of all religions and races, given its strategic location as a financial and commercial centre in the world.

Dr Al Zayani credited it to the wise leadership of His Majesty the King, and the efforts of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Bahrain has strengthened its pioneering successes as an inspiring model in respecting the rights of citizenship and establishing the values of love and religious, sectarian and ethnic tolerance under the state of law and institutions, as well as spreading the culture of peace and human fraternity in its regional and international surroundings.

The Minister stressed that the freedom to practise religious rites is guaranteed to all within a framework of friendship and mutual respect among the followers of different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. He pointed out to the presence of mosques, churches and other places of worship, such as a synagogue, a Hindu temple and another for Sikhs, and the most recent is the inauguration of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral last December in Awali.