Bahrain's religious diversity, interfaith tolerance hailed

Brussels, June 1 (BNA): In cooperation with the European Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain has held a seminar titled "Religious pluralism and tolerance in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The seminar was held at the Parliament headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday morning, June 1, 2016 under the joint auspices of the Vice President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, who is in charge of dialogue among religions and MP Ivo Vajgl, Head of the Group of Friends of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Undersecretary for International Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, spoke at the event which was also attended by Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, Dr. Bahiya Al-Jishi, as well as a number of MPs and officials at the European Parliament. Taking part also were speakers from the Kingdom of Bahrain representing the various religions and sects who outlined their personal experiences in freely practicing their religious rituals and enjoying tolerance and co-existence with all the Bahraini community components. In a statement on the occasion, the Undersecretary pointed to the Bahraini exemplary model of coexistence among religions, amid the unlimited support and guidance offered by the wise leadership and the freedom of religious practice, guaranteed by the national constitution and laws for all citizens and residents who live on the kingdom’s territory to enjoy. He noted that the Kingdom has managed to keep itself away from the circle of sectarian and religion-based conflicts plaguing the region and indiscriminatingly provided everyone with the possibility to practice their rituals and beliefs freely and enjoy their rights regardless of their faiths or creeds. Bahraini citizens of different faiths, be they Christians, Jewish or Baha’i, are an integral part of the national fabric of the Kingdom of Bahrain," said the Undersecretary for International Affairs, adding that people from all communities without distinction have contributed to the building of the nation and enrichment of its history. They, he said, have succeeded to serve the Kingdom in various positions thanks to their dedication and patriotism along with the openness of the government and Bahraini community and their acceptance of the other and renunciation of all forms of extremism, racism and hatred. In their turn, the attendance have paid tribute to the kingdom for the openness and magnanimity it is witnessing that make of it a model worth emulating in the region and the world, calling for more functions to shed light on Bahrain’s openness on other civilizations and on its prevalent atmosphere of magnanimity and human fraternity. On the other hand, the European Parliament’s Vice President Antonio Tajani, has affirmed the need for more cooperation at the political level and joint fight against extremism and hatred, valuing Bahrain’s efforts in this regard. He gave an opportunity to the European Parliament members to get familiar with the Bahraini Experience and asserted his total support for marketing Bahrain at the European institutions as a unique example. As to MP Ivo Vajgl, he honored Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, hailing the efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Bahrain to reinforce interaction with the European Union and promulgate the culture of religious pluralism and tolerance.