Manama, (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, emphasised Bahrain’s commitment to promoting respect for religious and cultural diversity as essential foundations for global peace and prosperity.
He noted that these values are deeply rooted in Bahrain’s approach under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Marking the International Day of Human Fraternity and World Interfaith Harmony Week, the minister expressed pride in Bahrain’s pioneering initiatives and government policies, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which have developed Bahrain’s position as a model of respect for human rights, coexistence, and peaceful relations among religions, cultures, and civilisations.
He emphasised Bahrain’s commitment to its historic values of pluralism and mutual respect, which have contributed to a cohesive and united society built on the rule of law and institutions. He highlighted Bahrain’s diplomatic efforts to foster a world of peace, security, and prosperity, as reflected in the National Human Rights Plan (2022–2026).
Dr. Al Zayani commended the leadership of His Majesty the King in spreading the principles of peace, understanding, and dialogue between civilisations at regional and international levels. He highlighted that the Arab League Summit in Bahrain adopted His Majesty’s initiatives on human rights and calls for peace, including a proposal to hold an international peace conference and establish a Palestinian state based on a two-state solution. He also noted Bahrain’s commitment to providing healthcare and education to those affected by conflicts and supporting innovation and digital transformation, emphasising Bahrain’s approach to resolving disputes through peaceful means and further developing international solidarity in delivering humanitarian and development assistance, under the direct supervision of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation.
The minister also highlighted Bahrain’s legislative, institutional, and cultural efforts to promote peaceful coexistence, including His Majesty the King’s call at the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Manama for an international convention to criminalise hate speech, reject extremism and violence, and support coexistence. He pointed to the establishment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and its initiatives and training programmes that embody the principles of the Bahrain Declaration on religious freedom, as well as the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence and other global awards dedicated to humanitarian service, women’s empowerment, youth support, and sustainable development.
Dr. Al Zayani also noted Bahrain’s organisation of international conferences, most recently the Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence, which was attended by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar following their signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together in Abu Dhabi in 2019. He emphasised that this document serves as a basis for the United Nations’ recognition of the International Day of Human Fraternity, in accordance with international human rights conventions, highlighting that mutual respect and religious and cultural diversity are fundamental to developing global understanding.
Dr. Al Zayani emphasised Bahrain’s commitment to its developmental and cultural path, reinforcing national unity and social cohesion, while continuing its diplomatic efforts to promote solidarity, mutual understanding, and cooperation among nations and civilisations. He noted Bahrain’s dedication to rejecting division, extremism, and hatred, and working towards a world of greater peace, interconnectedness, and prosperity, while upholding human rights and human dignity.
Source: BNA