Bahrain land of all faiths: HM King Hamad
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday hailed the Kingdom as a land of all faiths at Sakhir Palace alongside Pope Francis, who is on a four-day visit to the Kingdom.
Bahrain, HM King said, has protected the freedom of all faiths to “perform their rituals and establish their places of worship”. HM pointed out: Bahrain rejected religious discrimination and condemned “violence and incitement” under a declaration issued by the state several years ago.
The Kingdom, King Hamad said, seeks to strengthen “our common purpose towards a world in which tolerance prevails while striving for peace and rejects whatever divides its unity and threatens its civilisational development.”
HM King further expressed confidence that the visit of Pope Francis will leave a great moral and spiritual legacy in the heart of “your admirers in the Gulf and Arab region.” The “Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain”, HM King said, calls for the rejection of religious discrimination and condemnation of violence and incitement.
HM King also emphasised the importance of international partnership based on diplomatic dialogue and peaceful means as the starting point to end wars and conflicts. King called on major world powers to maintain international peace and security and particularly urged to end the Russian-Ukrainian war and begin serious negotiations between the two parties, expressing Bahrain’s interest in playing a “role required.”
Earlier, HM King Hamad also led well-wishers in welcoming His Eminence Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Sheikh of the Al Azhar Mosque and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, upon his arrival earlier in the Kingdom.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was also present. Later in the day, HM King received at Sakhir Palace senior members of delegations participating in the first edition of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence.
HM King affirmed during the meeting that Bahrain remains a beacon of tolerance, moderation and coexistence and is committed to working for sincere dialogue among civilisations. Bahrain, HM said, will always embody the honest values of openness, moderation and hospitality, ones it has always upheld.
Related Posts