HM the King hails Bahrain’s religious tolerance; diversity

Manama, Oct.1 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today received, at Al-Safriya Palace, Jafferi Endowments Council Chairman Shaikh Mohsen bin Al-Sheikh Abdul Hussein Khalaf Al-Asfoor, who was accompanied heads of community centres (maatams). They greeted HM the King, marking the end of the annual Ashoora season, expressing their loyalty and allegiance, as well as deepest thanks for the royal directives to all government departments to provide required services and facilities. HM the King reiterated keenness on ensuring all services and facilities during this religious season, urging the heads of ma’atams to address any shortcomings. He hailed the strong bonds of amity and solidarity between Bahrainis, adding that blatant external interference will not have an impact on the people of Bahrain. “All peoples and countries in the world value Bahrain and its people for their high ethics”, he said, expressing appreciation for the Ashoora season and expressing the hope that things would be better. He extended deepest thanks to all ministries and other relevant establishments, singling out particularly the Ministry of Interior, which spared no efforts to ensure all security and community services. He lauded civilised Bahraini society which is built on religious diversity, tolerance, fraternity and shared coexistence, urging collective responsibility to protect religious liberties. Jafferi Endowments Council Chairman Shaikh Mohsen bin Al-Sheikh Abdul Hussein Khalaf Al-Asfoor delivered a speech, on behalf of directorate employees, heads of maatams and Husseinyas, thanking HM the King for royal keenness on the annual Ashoora season. He lauded HM the King’s keynote speech which, he said, reflects wisdom, farsightedness and statesmanship in leading the nation to overcome all challenges. He quoted HM the King’s reference to late HM Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa who spared no efforts to promote people’s rights hailing the royal keynote speech which advocated justice, unity and tolerance. He backed the HM the King’s call to protect the sanctity of religious occasions under the banner of national unity and Islamic values. Speaking on behalf of directorate employees, heads of maatams and Husseinyas, Al-Asfoor stressed the need to avoid repeating the violations which were perpetrated by a group of foreign-backed thugs in order to subvert national unity, hailing conscious-minded Bahraini people who rallied to thwart plots.