Religious freedom in Bahrain underlined

Manama, Mar. 21 (BNA): Chief of Public Security, Major-General Tariq Al Hassan today received a delegation of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The Deputy Chief of Public Security and Assistant Chief of Public Security for Operations and Training Affairs also attended the meeting. The Chief welcomed the guests, asserting the dedication of the Kingdom of Bahrain to reinforce dialogue between different cultures and religions. With such approach, the King Hamad International Centre for Interreligious Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence was launched. The centre reflects the vision of Bahrain’s leadership and citizens and their respect to the principals of friendship and acceptance of others, in addition to its dedication to the reinforcement of the religious, intellectual and cultural freedoms. He highlighted that the freedom of worship was protected by the constitution and the law, while the Interior Ministry continuously works to ensure that such freedom isn’t exploited to break the law and traditional norms. He continued that this was clear with the security facilities provided to contribute to the success of all religious occasions. He highlighted the directives of His Excellency Interior Minister to provide security and traffic services to all places of worships in Bahrain. The Chief briefed the delegation on terrorisms against police personnel, highlighting the Iranian role in working against the security of Bahrain and its ongoing interference, financial and logistic support to terrorist groups and weapons and explosives trafficking to the Kingdom. He also highlighted that Iran shelters fugitives wanted in Bahrain who take Iran as a base to incite against the Kingdom. He said that Iran supports media campaigns and sources to brainwash youth, defame the reputation of the country and underestimate its security, human rights and other reforms. He said that the reforms of the Interior Ministry exceed the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, while some of the recommendations would continue to be carried out such as training, modernisation and administrative development. The Chief asserted that the Interior Ministry would work to reinforce the community partnership approach as an interactive approach between police personnel and members of society for the best interest of the nation and the public. The delegation visited an exhibition that showcased samples of seized weapons and explosives the terrorist groups use to target police personnel. (MOI)