Foreign Minister highlights Bahrain's deep commitment to freedom of religion and belief

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani participated in the inauguration of the Freedom of Religion and Belief Conference, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in the presence of ministers, senior officials, ambassadors and guests.

In his speech, Al Zayani conveyed the greetings of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and their wishes of success for the conference.

He also welcomed the participants from the European Union (EU) to the conference that brings together policy makers and diplomats with religious and community leaders. The minister highlighted Bahrain's pride in continuing to build on a centuries-old history, during which "our authentic Bahraini values of tolerance, coexistence and respect for religions, beliefs and cultures, derived from the principles of our true Islamic religion, were rooted."

Al Zayani noted that Bahrain's long experience as a regional trade center has given Bahrainis a unique understanding of the value of cooperation and dialogue among all religions and societies.

They have also appreciated the benefits that accrue to society through the protection of these freedoms, based on the Kingdom's keenness to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms regardless of gender, origin, religion or sect.

He noted that the Kingdom grants freedom of religion and belief to all, which is reflected in the presence of mosques, churches, synagogue and temples, in addition to the opening of the Lady Arabia cathedral in 2021.

Al Zayani stressed that Bahrain, under the directives of HM the King, is keen to consolidate a culture of tolerance, coexistence and fraternity, and to spread the values of peace, cooperation and human solidarity.

He noted that the King has adopted several initiatives in that regard. They include the launch of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity, the establishment of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, the King Hamad Center for Cyber Peace, and the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at Sapienza University in Italy, and the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain on Religious Tolerance.

The minister added that Bahrain continued to extend a hand of cooperation and to engage in dialogues with all religions and nations, which were evidenced by the Kingdom's signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020, along with the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the United States of America, in order to build partnerships that can benefit all.

The Minister confirmed the government’s keenness, in light of the comprehensive reform approach of HM the King and the directives of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to promote and protect human rights and public freedoms in accordance with the Constitution, the National Action Charter and national legislation. The keenness is also in line with Bahrain's accession to international human rights covenants, foremost of which is the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In this regard, he noted the approval of the National Human Rights Plan, and the role of the relevant ministries and government bodies in implementing a complete set of laws, regulations and procedures that promote religious freedoms and spread a culture of religious tolerance and coexistence in society.

This is carried out through religious platforms and the media as well as criminalizing incitement to religious, sectarian or racial hatred, and rejecting extremism and terrorism. Al Zayani said Bahrain looked forward to the conference being an important step in the promotion and protection of freedom of religion and belief, and providing opportunities to exchange views and experiences openly and transparently.