King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance organises conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief in partnership with EU in Brussels
Brussels, Oct. 28 (BNA): The King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, in cooperation with the European Union, organised the third Bahrain–EU Conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the Belgian capital, Brussels, under the theme "The Practice of Promoting Coexistence", with wide participation of international parliamentary, diplomatic, academic, and religious figures.
The delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain was headed by Ali Abdulla Al Aradi, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and included Lina Habib Kassim, Member of the Shura Council; MP Mohammed Yousif Al Maarafi, Member of the Council of Representatives; Dr. Fuad Al Ansari, President of the University of Bahrain; Daniel Haroun Cohen, Member of the Commissioners Council at the National Institution for Human Rights; Noora Al Mansoori, Director of the Coexistence Department at the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance; Dr. Badi Jabri, Representative of the Bahá’í Social Society; and Mahendra Bhatia, Representative of the Hindu Temple in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The conference was held in line with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the country, and the directives of the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to consolidate a culture of peace, tolerance, and dialogue among religions and cultures, embodying the deep Bahrain–EU partnership in supporting pluralism and human coexistence.
In his opening remarks, Ali Abdulla Al Aradi expressed pride in the partnership with the European Union in organising the third edition of this conference in Brussels, stressing that it represented a qualitative shift in the course of Bahrain–EU dialogue by moving the discussion from a regional framework to a shared global responsibility aimed at reinforcing peace, dignity, and sustainable coexistence.
He added that the conference builds upon the fruitful cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union, which began in Manama in 2022, and focused on combating hate speech, the role of education in promoting tolerance and rejecting extremism, the importance of cultural diplomacy in building bridges among peoples, and the responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence to serve human dignity and freedom of religion and belief, rather than using them to spread division.
He noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain presents a model to be emulated in tolerance and coexistence among followers of different faiths in harmony for centuries, with churches standing beside mosques a blessing nurtured by wise leadership, open education, and solid institutions. He reiterated the commitment of the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance to promoting interfaith dialogue, community participation, cultural exchange, and cooperation among policymakers, academic institutions, religious leaders, experts, media professionals, and innovators to protect freedom of religion and belief as a shared responsibility.
He also expressed the Center’s aspiration to develop a joint roadmap between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union through educational and awareness policies and programmes that encourage the responsible use of technology and activate the role of education, parliaments, places of worship, and civil society in promoting freedom of religion and belief and respect for human dignity.
On her part, Kajsa Ollongren, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, commended the partnership with the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance in organising this conference, underlining the EU’s commitment to share experiences and visions and to strengthen international cooperation in the field of dialogue, understanding, and respect for religious freedoms, while commending Bahrain’s leading role in consolidating the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence at the national, regional, and international levels.
The two-day conference programme included a series of specialised panel discussions addressing multiple themes related to promoting freedom of religion and belief. Among them were sessions titled "Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief: A Toolkit for a Diverse World", "Education, Awareness, and Cultural Diplomacy", and "Combating Hate Speech and Hate Crimes", in addition to a closing session titled "Freedom of Religion and Belief, Coexistence, and Tolerance in the European Union, the Gulf, and Beyond", which reviewed comparative experiences and best practices in fostering tolerance and mutual understanding among peoples, affirming that cross-border international cooperation represents a key basis for building a future founded on peace and mutual respect.
On the sidelines of the conference, the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance held bilateral consultations with several EU institutions and international partners, during which prospects for cooperation and constructive dialogue were discussed in areas of moral education, cultural diplomacy, and joint research programmes on hate speech and digital coexistence. These engagements enhance the Center’s institutional presence in Europe and contribute to shaping a shared roadmap to promote freedom of religion and belief globally, strengthen mutual understanding and respect among cultures and faiths, and build a foundation for global peace, human progress, and sustainable coexistence.
