HM King Hamad keen to make Ashoora season a symbol of religious freedom, pluralism: Interior Minister

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, has held a meeting devoted to the Ashoora season.  The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Jaffary Endowments Council, Yousif bin Saleh Al Saleh, members of the Husainiya Processions Authority and heads of Mattams (Community Centres) in the governorates. 

The meeting, aiming to promote community partnership, was also attended by the Chief of Public Security and governors. Interior Minister delivered a speech in which he expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the support His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa provides for the success of the Ashoora season in order to make it a humanitarian reference of religious freedoms and pluralism.

He valued the keenness of government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide a secure environment and all-season requirements to contribute to the success of Ashoora.

He said that Ashoora rituals were performed in the previous seasons despite the challenges of the health pandemic and extraordinary situations. He asserted the importance of cooperation and coordination among all concerned ministries and organisations by providing the required services to protect health and general safety during the season.

He valued the awareness and sense of responsibility of the heads of community centres and the authority and their commitment and cooperation to mark the occasion in a civilised way. He affirmed the importance of protecting responsible religious speech.

The Interior Minister said that Bahrain’s Ashoora has special characteristics, and to protect its spirituality, calls under the cover of religious tourism to receive foreign religious caravans to participate in the mourning processions go against the Kingdom’s speciality in marking the occasion. He said that marking the occasion should be limited to citizens and residents. 

“We won’t receive foreign caravans to protect the security and safety of mourners and the good organisation of the occasion,” he said, highlighting that regional destinations to mark the occasion are known.

From their sides, heads of community centres expressed thanks and appreciation to the Interior Minister for his cooperation and dedication to providing all required facilities for the success of Ashoora season. They highlighted the roles of governors to provide the required needs and ongoing cooperation and coordination.

They asserted their support for moderate religious speech and rejection of sectarianism through reinforcing love and respect between Bahrainis.