Bahrain oasis of religious tolerance

Moscow, July 17 (BNA): Upon directives from HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO), Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, RCO Secretary-General Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed took part in a forum organised by the Arab Cultural Forum here on the Christian presence and role in the Middle East Region. Mufti of Tripoli in Lebanon Shaikh Malik Al-Sha’ar, Archbishop of the Sebastian Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem Atallah Hanna, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Russian Ahmed Al-Sa’ati, Palestinian Ambassador to Bahraom Taha Abdulqader, ambassadors, media persons, artists, businessmen, businesswomen, representatives of the Russian Government and the representative of the Mufti of Russia were also present. The participants hailed His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s comprehensive national vision towards religiou freedom, lauded the religious tolerance prevailing in Bahrain and valued highly HM the King’s humanitarian principles and keenness on supporting and aiding stricken peoples without discrimination. Addressing the forum, Dr. Al-Sayed conveyed to the audience greetings and wishes of success from the leadership and Shaikh Nasser to the participants. Al-Sayed highlighted the crucial role played by religions in consolidating human dignity and spreading the good and peace worldwide, noting that divine religion, which agree on basic moral principles and call for tolerance and co-existence, have made the world safer and more secure for the entire humanity. RCO Secretary-General highlighted the religious tolerance enjoyed by the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of HM King Hamad, who is also RCO’s Honorary President, noting that Bahrain, which is blessed with a leadership that supports religious tolerance, has passed laws that guarantee the right of individuals to practise their religious rituals without encroaching upon others’ freedom. He asserted that the Middle East region is the cradle of the three divine religions, and that Islam was not meant to cancel other religions but to complete them, explaining that the "Crusades" was a political label that was wrongly linked to Christianity, and that Daesh uses the Islamic Religion to justify their evil and non-Islamic plots and ideology. Dr. Al-Sayed said that thanks to its strategic location and tolerant people, Bahrain has always been a meeting point for civilisations, traders and followers of various religions and beliefs. He indicated that those who had settled in the Kingdom have integrated into the Bahraini society, contributed to developing it in the medical, educational and economic fields, and reached political positions, citing former ambassador and Shura Council member, Alice Sama’an. He stressed that Bahrain boasts an honourable record in embracing minorities, and highlighted its outstanding experience regarding co-existence with the Christians, who represent 10 percent of the population. He also asserted that Bahrain is the home of the oldest church in the Gulf region- the 100-year-old Anglican Church which was built in 1906. He added that about 250,000 Christians live in Bahrain and perform their religious rituals in various churches and houses of worship spread across the kingdom. He affirmed that Bahrain’s sound policies throughout history have facilitated Christians’ integration into the Bahraini society, adding that in modern Bahrain, those policies have strengthen thanks to the humanitarian vision of HM King Hamad, the support of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. Highlighting Bahrain’s humanitarian policies, he said RCO, under the leadership of Shaikh Nasser, is keen on delivering aid support to those who need it regardless of their religion, colour, race or beliefs, stressing that Bahrain is interested in extending a helpline for "brothers in humanity". The conferees expressed admiration for HM King Hamad’s humanitarian vision, and lauded Bahrain’s success in creating a society that is based on love and respect.