Deluge of praise for Bahrain’s tolerance

Leading religious and social figures yesterday hailed Bahrain as a model to emulate religious liberties, an aspect which is rare to find in any other country. They also commended the Kingdom’s openness, culture of tolerance and peaceful co-existence in the era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Lauding HM the King, Secretary General of the Bahrain Federation of Expatriate Associations (BFEA), Betsy Mathieson commented: “Religious freedom is an absolute necessity for humans if we are to attain success and a harmonious peaceful existence.

There is quite simply nowhere in the world as special as the Kingdom of Bahrain and there is no world leader who does more to promote world peace through religious freedom than HM the King,” she said.

“Religious Leaders around the world understand and praise this. I sincerely hope that His Majesty will receive the global recognition he deserves for his sincere commitment to peace.”

Paris Grand Mosque Imam Hassan Shalghumi described Bahrain as a glimmer of hope for peaceful co-existence. He said the chasm between religions was widened in the aftermath of the deadly attacks in Paris. He also commended the efforts led by “This is Bahrain” campaign to show the world Bahrain’s experience.

Director of the Conference of European Rabbis, Rabbi Levin, a close advisor to the chief Rabbi of France, and also serves as Rabbi of the French National Gendarmerie, who visited Bahrain recently said, “During my visit, I shared with

HM the King that the Jewish people are now celebrating the holiday of Hanukkah, which seeks to increase light in the world, and explained that in Judaism there is a concept: ‘A little light drives off a lot of darkness.’”

“I told His Majesty that under his leadership, Bahrain is a little light in a dark world of radical fundamentalism. I am gratified that HM the King truly loves the Jewish people and under him they are granted favourable conditions by the authorities and they are free to worship in peace.

I will gladly share this with the world,” he said. “It was a very special moment to be in the Synagogue in Manama to light the second candle for Hannukah with members of the Bahrain Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities joining together,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of Dhammakaya Buddhist society of Europe and Middle East Phrakrubhavanabuddhidham (Veera Virandharo) said: “I have never seen a King or a leader of the country who has presented a strong effort to promote a peaceful multicultural society as HM King Hamad."

Caption : HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa takes a look at a pavilion at “This is Bahrain” exhibition