Foreign Minister highlights Bahrain’s religious liberties

Washington: July 18(BNA): Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, affirmed that religious freedom is an integral part of the history and identity of the Kingdom of Bahrain, adding that it is guaranteed by the Constitution and by the pioneering initiatives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He cited the Bahraini Declaration which reflects Bahrain's experience in promoting religious freedom, in addition to the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and the inauguration of the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at the University of Sapienza in Rome. “This represents a global model of peaceful coexistence and religious freedom in which assures the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment in preserving the nature of Bahraini society, its variety, diversity, tolerance, coexistence, openness and respect for different societies and peoples”, he said. He made the statement as he participated in the Ministerial conference to Advance Religious Freedom, held in Washington, DC, organised by the U.S. Department of State and attended by representatives of governments and civil society organisations from around the world. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Mike Pompeo, for hosting this important conference, which brings together a number of allies and friends from around the world to work to ensure religious freedom everywhere, and to protect this fundamental human right of all persons. He stressed the need to redouble the efforts of the international community to eliminate the rhetoric of extremism, hatred and sectarianism and adopt a collective stance to curb the spread of extremist ideas in media and various social networks, and to confront terrorist organizations such as Da'ash, Al-Nusra, Hezbollah and others, which threaten the region and impose their struggle to preserve religious diversity and peaceful coexistence. He also praised the efforts of the United States in combating these terrorist organizations, including the recognition of the seriousness of Hezbollah's terrorist organization and its keenness to work continuously with the allies in order to deter the party and all those who support or finance it.