SCIA congratulates leadership, condemns Israeli practices

Manama, Dec. 12 (BNA): The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) has extended on profound congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, the Royal Family, the government and the Bahraini people on the Anniversary of HM the King’s Accession to the Throne and the glorious National Day. During its regular meeting held here today under the chairmanship of its President, HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid Al Khalifa, and in the presence of Deputy President Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the SCIA wished Bahrain ever-lasting security, progress and prosperity, praying to Allah Almighty to preserve HM the King and to bless its people with love and fraternity.   Regarding the Commemoration Day, the SCIA recalled with appreciation and gratitude the role played by the late Bahraini servicemen who made great sacrifices for the sake of the country’s security, stability and progress, stressing the event is both a patriotic and moral duty to instill the values of sacrifice and loyalty to the homeland.   In another context, the SCIA affirmed that the Palestinian cause remains the first Arab and Islamic issue, denouncing the decision to recognise Al-Quds as the capital of Israeli Occupation, calling on Arab and Islamic countries, as well as on countries that advocate the Right and just causes to support the Palestinian people to enable its citizens to regain their legitimate rights and occupied territories.   In this regard, the SCIA condemned the continuous repressive practices of the Israeli Occupation authorities towards the brotherly Palestinian people, and its crimes, including murder, siege and settlements, describing them as a flagrant breach of sanctities and holy sites, a clear violation of morals, norms and conventions, a blatant defiance of the entire International Community and a threat to global security and peace.    The council deplored the Israeli racist schemes aimed at imposing a new reality by changing the existing demographic character of the occupied Al-Quds, obliterating the identity of the city, storing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and preventing daily rituals and prayers.   The SCIA also condemned, in the strongest terms, the terrorist armed attack that had targeted secure worshippers in the Al-Rawda Mosque in North Sinai, Egypt, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, extending sincere condolences and sympathy to brotherly Egypt –leadership, people and victims’ families, and wishing the wounded quick recovery.   The council stressed that terrorism has become a major concern to the whole world, which requires the need to rally together to confront and spare the world its evils.   The SCIA called for the need to review the religious discourse and purify it from alien and erroneous ideology through referring to the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and the conduct of his companions and family, praising, in this context, the establishment of the Madinah-based Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Complex for the Prophet's Hadith.     Then, the council congratulated its Deputy President, Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa for being granted the Republic Medal for Sciences and Arts of the First Class by the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in tribute  for his role in serving religious and cultural issues, and efforts in promoting co-existence, moderation and peace.   The SCIA voiced pride in the prestigious honouring which was the fruitful outcome of role in preserving and promoting the fundamental values of good and moderation, thanks to the support of the leadership, led by HM King Hamad.   The SCIA also discussed other topics on its agenda.