Manama, 15 March 2023 (TDI): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia praised the groundbreaking initiatives of King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The initiatives have played a significant role in cultivating dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among all religions, cultures, and civilizations.
On the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.. FM: The Kingdom of Bahrain is an example of tolerance and peaceful coexistence between religions and cultureshttps://t.co/XgHGEhabEC pic.twitter.com/WbfLv79AMq
— وزارة الخارجية 🇧🇭 (@bahdiplomatic) March 14, 2023
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is going to endorse an international agreement to criminalize religious, sectarian, and racist hate speech, and to consolidate human solidarity in promoting security, prosperity, and sustainable development, in a session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Dr. Abdullatif also highlighted the participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the United Nations (UN) celebration of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, that celebrated on March 15 every year.
On this day, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called for the promotion, protection, and preservation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
These include the rule of law, justice, and institutions, respecting religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity, and supporting dialogue and civilizational rapprochement at the various national, regional, and international levels.
Dr. Abdullatif stressed that Bahrain believes in cultural integration and an accommodationist approach.
He also appreciated the diplomatic posture of the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, that Islam denotes the religion of peace, mercy, and benevolence for more than a thousand years.
Also, he emphasized that about two billion Muslims, represent humanity in all its wonderful diversity. He highlighted the importance of adhering to human values to establish justice and achieve justice.
Pluralist Approach
Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain possesses a history of tolerance, cultural and intellectual pluralism, and established civilized edifice.
That professes the freedom of right, freedom of religion, and freedom of association, and the citizens are free to practice their religious rituals.
The Kingdom also believes in the prevention of disrespect of religions or inciting religious or sectarian hatred through media and digital platforms, and to continue its efforts to combat violent extremism and confront terrorism in all its forms.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken a pioneering step through the ‘Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain that would support peace, tolerance, and service of humanity.
The King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence was also established that focuses on studying Dialogue, Peace, and Interfaith Coexistence Studies, at the Italian University of La Sapienza.
Furthermore, the launch of the “King Hamad International Award for Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence” in unification with the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue with the participation of the Pope of the Vatican, led to the hosting of the meetings of the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the theme “Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Inclusive Societies: Combating Intolerance.”
These initiatives as well as steps are the practical manifestations of Bahrain’s pluralist approach.
