13 mosques opened

Manama, Nov. (BNA): Following directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to promote noble Islamic values and principles among all social segments through meeting the needs of all regions for houses of worship according to the Urban Master Plan and within the follow-up on the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, the Jaffari Endowments Directorate received 13 mosques. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr. Fareed bin Yaqoob Al-Meftah highlighted the leadership's interest in houses of worship across the kingdom's governorates, especially those mentioned in BICI's report. He asserted the ministry's keenness to implement the Royal directives in accordance with the legal framework that preserves the sanctity and status of houses of worship, explaining that it has coordinated with the Jaafari Endowments Directorate to finalise the issue. Al-Meftah made the statements as he toured the mosques handed over by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry to Jaffari Endowments, in the presence of the directorate's Board of Directors Chairman Shaikh Mohsen bin Al-Sheikh Abdul Hussain Al-Asfoor, Northern Governor Ali bin Al-Sheikh Abdul Hussain Al-Al-Asfoor and officials. He said the 13 mosques, the last batch of locations mentioned in BICI report, were handed over to the Jaffari Endowments Directorate after their completion thanks to the instructions issued by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to finalise the issue as soon as possible, and close follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. The competent sides embarked on implementing the Royal directives in this regard by allocating a budget of BD 3,400,000, noting that the budget is independent and will not affect the ministry's project to build houses of worship in all regions of the kingdom. The Jaffari Endowments Director Shaikh Mohsen Al-Asfoor lauded the Royal directives to finalise the issue of mosques mentioned in BICI's report, and praised the follow-up of the government, led by HRH Premier, and the support of HRH Crown Prince, stressing that the move is a major achievements that proves keenness to cement national unity and the social fabric. He also paid tribute to the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Undersecretary Dr. Fareed Al-Meftah for ensuring that the projects were completed according to schedule. He also commended the efforts of the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure, chaired by Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, to coordinate between the competent sides, including the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry, the Housing Ministry, the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), in this regard. The leadership is keen to ensure that the kingdom remains an advanced model of peaceful co-existence, sectarian rapprochements and religious tolerance, the deep-rooted distinctive features of the Bahraini society, he said, adding that interest in houses of worship will boost their role in developing society and promoting the values of cooperation, solidarity and unity. Al-Asfoor said that the Jaafari Endowments Directorate had handed over the keys of the mosques to the local inhabitants and recruited people to be in charge of them. The 13 mosques include: Al-Imam Al-Hadi, Al-Imam Al-Jawad, Al-Imam Al-Sajjad, Al-Imam Al-Askari, Al-Baqeea, Abu Taleb, Fadak Al-Zahraa mosques in Hamad Town, the Ain Rastan and Al-Barbaghi mosques in A'ali, Al-Abed mosque in Sitra, Al Duwaira and Moamen mosques in Nuwaidrat and Al-Kuwaikibat mosque in Tubli. Northern Governor Ali bin Al-Sheikh Al-Asfoor stressed that houses of worship in the kingdom, such as mosques, Hussainiyahs and other religious institutions, should be platforms that are committed to bringing the citizens together, promoting moderation and spreading the precepts of the Islamic Religion, rejecting any discourse aimed at extremism, violence and strife. He affirmed that he kingdom's leadership, government and people have always adopted the approach of moderation and respect for religions and creed. He called on all government and private institutions and individuals to take advantage of the handing over of the 13 mosques to the Jaffari Endowments to strengthen bonds among members of the Bahraini society and overcome all circumstances so as to achieve top national interests. The Bahraini people has, throughout history, set an excellent example in overcoming various crises and challenges through unity, cohesion and rallying together against everything that poses a threat to civic peace and national unity. He extended heartfelt deep thanks and appreciation to the leadership for directives to reconstruct the mosques and meet the citizens' needs in this regard. He also thanked the Interior Minister, the Justice Minister and the Jaffari Endowments Board Director for their efforts to follow-up on the progress of the reconstruction process of the mosques and keenness on removing all obstacles facing that.