Bahraini Embassy to UK hosts reception on International Day of Tolerance
London, Nov. 25 (BNA): Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the UK, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC), hosted a reception at ICC premises in London, within the framework of the kingdom’s foreign policy aiming to support global peace and peaceful coexistence.
The event, held on the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance, observed worldwide every November 16, confirms the kingdom’s commitment to promoting the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence, as well as establishing peace and respect for religious freedom.
Ambassadors accredited to the UK, British Parliament members, leaders of various religions, officials, those interested in religious and sectarian diversity, in addition to a number of students studying in Britain, attended the ceremony.
Afzal Khan, member of the UK House of Commons, delivered a speech in which he stressed that fostering rapprochement among peoples is the best means to establish peace, stressing that the international community will be able to explore common ties and values only through this step- rapprochement.
Lord Mann, Independent Adviser to UK Government on Antisemitism, also addressed the ceremony. He emphasised that the entire international community is responsible for confronting all forms of discrimination and bias, defending diversity and promoting mutual understanding and respect among communities and religions. He added that commitment to tolerance and coexistence is the best means to confront all challenges.
Reverend Dr. Anders Bergquist, Vicar of the St John's Wood Church, which is adjacent to the London Central Mosque, in his statement, urged intensifying personal efforts in being open to the idea of rapprochement among cultures and religions, given its importance in building an interconnected and tolerant society.
Baroness Manzila Uddin, member of the UK House of Lords, asserted that the world is witnessing many complexities and challenges, which requires commitment to building bridges of understanding and tolerance, adding that rapprochement is the best way to address these challenges, preserve the rights of all and respect differences.
Anisa Mahmoud, Director of the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group, also addressed the event. She stressed the need to raise awareness about the phenomenon of Islamophobia and combat it in society, especially in schools, workplaces, and social media.
The Kingdom of Bahrain will always remain a beacon, and a land for coexistence among various civilisations, cultures and religions.
To this end, the Embassy of the Kingdom to the UK seeks to support initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen cultural and social ties among peoples and religions.
