On HM King’s behalf, minister opens conference on role of education in promoting tolerance in Bahrain

Manama, Nov. 16 (BNA): On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, inaugurated the conference on “The Role of Education in Promoting the Values of Tolerance in the Kingdom of Bahrain Throughout History”. Organised by the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence at the Shaikh Isa Cultural Center today, the conference was attended by the Shura Council Chairman, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Environment, HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, and a number of senior guests. Addressing the conference, the Justice Minister stressed that the royal patronage of the conference embodies HM the King’s vision and efforts to promote the values of co-existence, peace and consolidation of constructive dialogue on the basis of citizenship that embraces everyone, reflecting the values of tolerance and moderation of which the Bahraini people have always been known. The minister emphasised that the reinforcement of the values of tolerance is an urgent necessity, now more than ever, especially with the rapid development of the means of human communication, and the multiple forms of extremism and hatred associated with them, which requires collective efforts, at all levels, to raise awareness, impart knowledge and instill the all-inclusive national identity in the minds of children and youth, as well as consolidate respect for cultural diversity, being the conduit for the development, progress and prosperity of peoples, which requires the concerted efforts of all official, civil and international efforts to promote tolerance. He also affirmed that throughout its long history, Bahrain has presented a living example of how openness to cultural diversity is an enriching factor, while preserving the all-inclusive authentic identity, noting that the kingdom has always been a meeting point for religions and cultural diversity, which reflects the extent of the existing harmony and fraternity emanating from the Arab and Islamic identity that brings all Bahrainis together. He stressed that the conference sheds light on the pivotal role played by education in consolidating the values of tolerance, highlighting the importance of solidarity among individuals and nations, enhancing friendship among peoples, supporting efforts to enhance countries’ progress and building peace, as well as in combating terrorism, hatred, extremism and exclusion. The minister affirmed that the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence translates the efforts of the kingdom, under the leadership of HM King Hamad, to disseminate the principles of moderation, fraternity and tolerance among human beings, regardless of their beliefs and religions. Following the minister’s speech, the Chairman of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence, Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, highlighted HM King Hamad’s unwavering endeavours to disseminate the value of tolerance and peaceful co-existence and encourage dialogue, based on the Bahraini society’s long-standing legacy in this regard. He asserted that this year’s International Day for Tolerance coincides with the kingdom’s celebrations of the 100th anniversary of public education, stressing that education in Bahrain has always been a beacon that paved the way for success, which has made openness, cultural diversity and respect for differences distinctive features of the Bahraini society and turned them into factors of harmony among all social groups, as well as engines of development, security and stability. He stressed that the Al Hedaya Al Khalifa, the Sacred Heart and Al Raja School, among others, are more than educational institutions, as they bear witness to the kingdom’s leadership in education that has been based on the principles of tolerance and peaceful co-existence among all social groups. He affirmed that the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence will continue implementing its goals stemming from HM the King’s vision aimed at spreading the kingdom’s deep-rooted experience of peaceful co-existence to benefit all peoples, reduce conflicts and denounce extremism and hatred. He added that the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence, out of its belief that youth are the asset of the future, has allocated training programmes for students from across Bahrain’s universities and clubs to play their role in supporting and promoting enlightened thought and values of co-existence and justice. During the opening of the conference, the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence announced the graduation of 20 students who had participated in the King Hamad Programme for Belief in Youth Leaders to Promote the Values of Tolerance. Dr. Haris Silajdžić, the former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also spoke during the main session of the conference. He expressed sincere thanks to HM King Hamad for patronising the conference, as well as for adopting a regionally and globally pioneering reform project to consolidate peaceful co-existence, and achieve peace, harmony and sustainable development. He stressed that Bahrain is a great country thanks to its achievements and deep-rooted history in the fields of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and love for the other. “Bahrain boasts an exceptional model that is rarely found at the levels of the region and the world in adopting dialogue, peaceful co-existence and harmony among all religions, civilisations and sects. This should be spread at the international level so that stability and love among peoples and communities prevail,” he said. Then, lecturer at the University of Bahrain, Dr. Nader Kadhem, in his statement, highlighted Bahrain’s rich history of tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He also shed light on the beginning of the educational process in the kingdom in the late 19th century. He stressed that tolerance is deep-rooted in Bahrain, adding that the kingdom hosts all cultures since hundreds of years, and that tolerance and openness emanate for the very nature of the Bahraini society.