HM King receives participants in international conference on Zakat

Manama, Oct. 16 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Safriyah Palace today participants in the international conference on "Zakat and Comprehensive Development", led by member of the Muslim Council of Elders Ali Ameen and Vice-President of the Azhar University, Dr. Mohammed Abu Zeid El-Amir Mahmood. The conference is organised by the Zakat and Charity Fund at the Justice Ministry, in cooperation with the London-based Cambridge Research and Training Centre, the London Centre for Training and Consultancy, and the Al-Raqaba Group for Financial Islamic Consultations in Jordan. HM the King welcomed them, praising participation of the elite of scholars, experts and specialists in the conference which provides an important opportunity to raise ideas and initiatives to achieve zakat (alms-giving) goals and promote its enforcement in the Muslim World. HM the King underlined the importance of the international conference in shedding light on the need to invest scientific research to activate the sustainable civilisational role of Zakat and shape a forward-looking vision of its goals. He expressed thanks for the efforts of the Zakat and Charity Fund and all the organisers of the conference, wishing the participants every success. HM the King lauded the achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the financial and banking sector, in light of the Economic Vision 2030 which is based on sustainability, competitiveness, justice and social solidarity. Bahrain is considered as a pioneer in developing the Islamic Banking Sector given its success in attracting well-reputed regional and international financial institutions and working out systems to serve the humanitarian and charity work. HM the King paid homage to HM late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa for establishing the Zakat and Charity Fund to achieve the principles of active community partnership For their part, the audience expressed thanks and respect to HM the King for the kingdom's hosting of the conference and the gracious welcome accorded to them. They praised the kingdom's role in promoting the Islamic financial and banking march and its pioneering experience in the humanitarian and charity field.