Bahrain National Day festivities grip nation

Manama : Celebrations were held by Bahraini embassies all over the world yesterday in commemoration of the establishment of the modern Bahraini state, an Arab and Muslim country founded by Ahmed Al-Fateh in 1783, the 46th anniversary of its full membership in the United Nations, and the 18th anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.

On the occasion, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa hosted a reception and luncheon. 

Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, Tobias Ellwood, former Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and current Chairmen of the Conservative Party Council for the Middle East, Hugo Swire, the former Chief of the Defence Staff, David Richards, the Advisor of the Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah bin Hassan Saif, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, a number of prominent British government officials, members of the House of Commons and Lords, Ambassadors, diplomats in Britain, businessmen and Bahraini students studying in Britain took part in the festivities. 

In his speech on the occasion, the Ambassador hailed the historic bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom for more than two centuries, adding that the friendship between the two kingdoms has been based on common values and principles. 

The event included an exhibition of paintings by Bahraini students in Britain and Bahraini folk food.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority held entertainment and promotional programmes at the Lancaster Palace. The highlight of the day was the performance of the Interior Ministry’s military band which won the admiration of the audience. 

Separately, in a message, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bahrain and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Shaikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. 

In a statement on the occasion, he said, “The National Days of Bahrain are a celebration of the success of the reform project spearheaded by HM the King, and the quantum leap made by the Kingdom in various fields.”