HM King: Bahrain country of peace and cradle of civilizations

Manama, Mar. 29 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa received at Al-Sakhir Palace his Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who introduced the 8th International Youth Conference. A total of 1600 participants from 32 countries are taking part in the major event, being organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. HM the King welcomed the participants to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the country of peace and the cradle of ancient civilisations. HM the King stressed the crucial role of the environment and education in cultivating positive thinking, honing skills and acquiring the required traits to achieve unending success and inspire other people to achieve and excel. He paid tribute to mothers who represent the school that brings up young generations and paves the way for their success in life. HM the King seized the occasion to pay homage to school Principal Ms. Aisha Abdulkarim who won the Ideal Mother in the 3rd International Festival which was held recently in Egypt. The award, HM the King said, recognizes Ms. Abdulkarim’s as an ideal mother who braves life challenges and transforming them into an inspirational success story which goes beyond her small family to embrace young generations. Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Hisham bin Mohammed Al Jowder, in his speech, said that the International Youth Conference interprets HM the King's interest in the youth. The minister noted the establishment of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports in 1975 which indicates the early features of HM the King's support for the youth. The minister pointed HM the King's interest in engaging them in the construction of the democratic state and in decision making. He noted HM the King's support for the youth has enthused them to achieve many successes and occupying their positions on victory podiums at the regional and international levels. He added that in the prosperous ear of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Manama has become the first Arab youth capital and Bahrain as a global youth incubator. He said that the royal support has inspired the youth to take part in the national development march and they have been the focus of the royal reforms project. He concluded by wishing HM the King good health and happiness. Then, representative of the Arab youth, from the UAE, Ali Umran Al-Shamis gave a speech in which he extended thanks and gratitude to His Majesty the King for the warm welcome and hospitality they received in Bahrain. He lauded the kingdom's sustainable development, describing it as a model to emulate in the region thanks to the visionary policies of HM the King. Al-Shamis commended the royal keenness to meet and support the youth from Bahrain and the whole world. He described the International Youth Conference, hosted by Bahrain, as a wonderful initiative by the government to bring together youngsters from across the world and provide them with the opportunity to meet inspirational figures who possess stories of success. He also paid tribute to Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, describing him as an inspiring model for anyone yearning for success.