Bahrain model in tolerance, peaceful coexistence

Paris, (BNA): Board of Trustees member of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Co-existence Bishop Camillo Ballin stressed that Bahrain is a model country in tolerance, peaceful co-existence and religious freedom. In an interview with the weekly French magazine "The Christian Community" that was published recently in the edition 2123, he said the Christians in Bahrain are exercising their rites in utter freedom. "We are free to go to churches, pray and exercise our rite," he noted. The magazine published vivid testimonies of Christian residents from Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Britain and Iraq who all commended religious freedom, tolerance and co-existence in the Kingdom of Bahrain. "We have a big church which is the Sacred Heart, in the capital Manama," Bishop Camillo Ballin said, pointing out the 8788 sqm land plot donated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the Christians to build the biggest cathedral in the region. He stressed the importance of the edifice that will have a capacity of 2300 persons, in addition to offices and a home for Bishops as well as a square for 6000 visitors and worshippers. The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence Board of Trustees member hailed the role of His Majesty the King in facilitating his mission and enabling him to move in the Arabian Gulf region freely and without restraints. He pointed out the growing number of expatriates, mainly Christians, in the Gulf countries. "The Christians in Bahrain enjoy a distinguished status compared to other Muslim countries," he said, commending openness in the kingdom and pointing out that the Catholics do not interfere with politics in Bahrain. Some of them, he said, work in the public sector and they are treated with respect. He also noted that many Catholics who reached an age above 60 chose to stay and maintained their jobs, like the cathedral construction project Director who is a 76-year-old Filipino. "We can't imagine this could happen in France," he said.