Nicosia : Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, participated in the High-Level International Conference on Coexistence and Religious Diversity, organised by the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance in cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia.
The conference brought together senior officials, policymakers, academics, experts, and representatives of government, religious and civil society institutions, alongside delegates from the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.
In his opening address, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that promote coexistence, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The minister highlighted the importance of the conference amid growing global challenges, including increasing polarisation, social divisions and hate speech. He stressed the need to reinforce social cohesion and embed the values of coexistence and mutual respect through effective partnerships involving governments, civil society, religious and community leaders, and regional and international organisations.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla also highlighted the close cooperation between Bahrain and Cyprus in organising the conference, describing it as a reflection of the two countries’ shared commitment to promoting coexistence, cultural diversity and stronger Gulf-European cooperation in support of peace, security and stability.
The Chairman noted that these efforts coincide with Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Bahrain’s presidency of the current GCC session, and the Kingdom’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla said the challenge facing societies lies not in diversity itself but in managing it effectively and transforming it into a source of strength rather than division. He reaffirmed the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance’s commitment to advancing dialogue and mutual understanding through education, scientific research, leadership development and international cooperation, emphasising that coexistence is strengthened through institutions, the rule of law and responsible leadership.
The Chairman added that, under its enlightened Royal Vision, Bahrain has established a national model founded on equality, freedom of religion and belief, and respect for diversity. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to building international partnerships that translate dialogue into practical action, strengthen social cohesion and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The conference examined the role of governments in strengthening social cohesion through legislation and public policy, the contribution of civil society and religious institutions to fostering dialogue and understanding, and efforts to counter hate speech and extremism through education, awareness and responsible digital engagement. Participants also explored opportunities to expand institutional cooperation, capacity-building initiatives and knowledge exchange.
