Manama : 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 (KHGC), praised the pioneering initiatives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in promoting the values of coexistence, tolerance and dialogue among civilizations, cultures, and religions as fundamental pillars for building a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world.
On the occasion of International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, observed annually on June 10, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed expressed pride in the Royal vision that has advanced coexistence and human harmony, reinforcing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position as a hub for civilizational and interfaith dialogue, a global beacon of tolerance and noble human values, and a steadfast advocate against calls for hatred, division, and hostility.
The Chairman added that commemorating this international occasion during the “Year of Isa Al Kabeer” reflects Bahrain’s pride in its rich historical and civilizational legacy as a leading model of coexistence, tolerance, respect for human rights, and the building of bridges of communication and understanding among cultures and religions. He noted that these human values and national practices have been deeply rooted since the establishment of the modern state under His Highness Isa Al Kabeer, Ruler of Bahrain and its Dependencies, and have continued to flourish under the leadership of His Majesty the King within a state founded on the rule of law and constitutional institutions.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed affirmed that dialogue among civilizations is one of the Center’s priority and constitutes a central pillar of its academic programs and initiatives aimed at raising societal awareness and developing national and international leaders capable of advancing dialogue and mutual understanding within their institutions and communities. He noted that these efforts contribute to strengthening coexistence among cultures, fostering human harmony, and countering hate speech, in line with the principles of the Bahrain Declaration on Religious Freedom and the Royal call for an international convention criminalizing religious and racial hate speech.
The Chairman also expressed pride in the Center’s role in translating the Royal vision into practical and sustainable policies and initiatives. These include overseeing the launch of the King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance, introducing pioneering academic programs, and implementing innovative social and development projects such as the Coexistence Path and Green Houses of Worship initiatives, in partnership with national and international institutions. He further highlighted the international recognition received by Bahrain’s initiatives, including the Kingdom’s official entry into Guinness World Records as the country with highest density of houses of worship, as well as the United Nations’ adoption of Bahrain’s initiative establishing the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain, guided by its wise leadership, longstanding humanitarian values, and active membership in regional and international organizations, will continue its civilizational mission of promoting coexistence, tolerance and dialogue among civilizations and religions on the basis of trust, mutual respect, solidarity, and understanding. He stressed the importance of safeguarding human dignity and confronting the challenges of extremism and intolerance, emphasizing that these efforts represent the most effective path toward strengthening a culture of peace and shared living within secure, stable, and prosperous societies.
