Bahrain – seat of living peace

BY Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood

Amidst the clamour of the analysis about the final Arab Summit resolutions passed and discussions reported, many of the observers, attendees, experts, and analysts did not notice that the day of the Bahrain summit, May 16, coincides with the International Day for Living Together in Peace, a day declared by the United Nations General Assembly in accordance with a resolution it took at its seventy-second session on December 8, 2017.

And to add weight to this observance, the honourable Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres himself attended the summit.

This, I believe, sent out a strong message of belief and hope that “peace is here... peace in Bahrain.” The fact is that the Middle East has witnessed a lot of turmoil since time immemorial – from the days of the Crusades, in fact, and even earlier when Romans asserted their power over the inhabitants of the lands here.

In the beginning this was because of the region was at the crossroads of ideas and change was a constant.

And change is always resisted. Later, it was because the region was discovered to be the world’s largest repository of fossil fuels and in many ways that gave us back our agency to shape our geopolitics.

But if new ideas often brought conflict, they also opened up new conversations and intellectual horizons.

And in this matter, Bahrain has always stood as a shining example of assimilation, harmony and peaceful co-existence.

If we review the text of the resolution issued regarding this day, we will find that it speaks of the determination to save future generations from the scourge of war, promote a culture based on peace and non-violence that benefits humanity, and encourage dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between religions and cultures for the sake of peace – now these very values, I believe, underpin our King’s vision for Bahrain and the world.

His Majesty has always emphasised that lasting peace would only be possible if we worked on it together: local communities, religious leaders and other actors should all set aside personal agenda and encourage forgiveness and compassion.

In my humble opinion, what the United Nations wrote about its resolution designating May 16 as a day to encourage global peace echoed the actions and vision of His Majesty the King.

Indeed, when I read this statement, I felt that someone would recite it to the entire world. He is our king, the leader of peace and harmony.

Yes, my friends, this decision and its words were nothing but a quotation of the vision of His Majesty the King, and the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on May 16 to sit on the benches of the Bahrain Summit, coinciding with the Day of Nations to Live Together in Peace, was evidence that Bahrain is the most appropriate place to celebrate t his day.