Royal order hailed by SCIA president, members

Manama, June 26 (BNA): President and members of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (SCIA) sent a cable of gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, following the Royal trust of their appointment in the recently-restructured council. The council today held its first session chaired by its president Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Khalifa who welcomed the members and congratulated them on the precious Royal trust, asserting his confidence in the council’s capability to continue to serve faith and the homeland, wishing them success. Shaikh Abdulrahman affirmed the council’s keenness on serving the homeland and its moral values through accomplishment of its objectives to meet the aspirations of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The council said it will also endeavour to set up the necessary plans and programmes to develop Islamic activities related to public interest in Bahrain in line with the spirit of modernity and preservation of Islamic heritage. It stressed keenness to continue supporting Islamic unity and cooperation with all civilisations and religions. The council recalled its late president HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid Al Khalifa who spent a lifetime in serving his faith and the nation, asking Allah the Almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace. The council hailed the Royal Order to establish the Islamic Studies College to teach Holy Quran sciences, Sharia law and jurisprudence, as well as comparative jurisprudence, and naming the college after the late HH Shaikh Abdullah in recognition of his career accomplishments. The council formed its four basic committees: 1- Legal Opinion Committee, 2- Sharia Student Support Committee, 3- Islamic Societies and Institutions Committee and 4- Functions and Activities Committee.