Youth Central to Building Peaceful Societies, Says Minister

Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, stressed that youth are essential partners in strengthening values of peaceful coexistence and social harmony.

On the occasion of Gulf Youth Day, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah emphasized Bahrain’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives and enhancing their role in strengthening security, stability, social cohesion, and national belonging.

He said Bahraini youth have demonstrated a high level of awareness, balancing strong national identity with respect for religious and cultural diversity. He added that young people are actively contributing to countering hate speech, extremism, and violence while promoting mutual respect and coexistence.

The minister further noted that the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence continues to empower youth through specialized programs and partnerships with local and international institutions. These include the King Hamad Fellowship for Peaceful Coexistence, the joint postgraduate diploma program in coexistence, and support for the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue at Sapienza University of Rome.

He also referenced these initiatives as being aligned with the principles of the “Bahrain Declaration” on religious freedom and the UN-recognized International Day for Peaceful Coexistence.