BACA President: Bahrain embodies principles of coexistence of religions

Manama, Oct. 30 (BNA): Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) President Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has stressed the importance of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, which is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and coinciding with the historic official visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom of Bahrain at the invitation of HM the King. BACA President said that excavations and archaeological evidence have confirmed that Bahrain embodied openness and tolerance. Samaheej in the northeast of the island of Muharraq had a Nestorian Christian presence during its early history. In 2019, as BACA announced the first archaeological evidence of a Christian community in Bahrain, Prof. Timothy Insul, of the team of archaeologists in the area, said: "The discovery is one of the most important discoveries in the entire region." Dr. Salman Al Mahari, of the same team, said: "This archaeological discovery constitutes evidence of the period of Christian community presence on the Muharraq Island." "History, region, and preliminary information, all indicate that there were Christian inhabitants, but for the first time, and since the excavations began in the 18th century, we can prove this hypothesis." Shaikh Khalifa said that today, Manama is a beautiful mosaic of mosques, churches and temples that coexist in an amazing harmony of history and geography and show deep respect for the faiths of the people who live or work in it or just visit it. He added that nations acquire a higher civilizational status when they believe that dialogue and moderation are the bases for human coexistence. "We are proud that the Kingdom of Bahrain is part of the international endeavors to promote the principles of peace and coexistence between religions," he said. "The organization of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue reflects the directives of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to promote peace, coexistence and moderation across the globe. We at Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities are fully committed to open and positive dialogue among leaders of religions, sects and thought around the world for the good of all humanity."