King patronises Commemoration Day

Manama, Dec.17 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today patronized the celebration of the 2nd Commemoration Day, which falls on December 17. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier attended the ceremony at Al-Sakhir Palace. HM the King was received on arrival by National Guard Chief His Highness Lieutenant-General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa. In a keynote speech on this occasion, HM the King paid tribute to the loyal and brave Bahrainis who sacrificed their lives and fell in the line of duty, in defence of their homeland and nation, to stave off designs preying on the country’s sovereignty. “These heroes, who embody the values of patriotism, represent a source of pride and an iconic beacon in our national history, inspiring generations to come”, he said. The December 17 Commemoration Day, he said, will always represent a defining moment in our national march, symbolizing honour and pride in loyal Bahrainis who sacrificed their lives, whether inside the homeland or abroad, to promote the values of peace and justice and dispatch humanitarian aid to our brethren. He paid homage to the martyrs of duties who will be remembered in the national annals for epitomizing the lofty values of sacrifice and abnegation, following into the steps of fathers and forefathers since the establishment phase, who laid the foundations of our national march. “Nations rise and thrive on the path of glory thanks to the dedicated endeavour of loyal citizens”, HM the King said, taking pride in all martyrs over the history, who sacrificed their lives for Bahrain to rank high among nations. HM the King paid tribute to the martyrs’ families remained steadfast and showed their patriotic mettle, fostering the values of loyalty, abnegation and sacrifice. He expressed deep pride in the loyal citizens for their honourable stances in memory of the martyrs of duty, hailing their patriotism, one-family spirit and allegiance to the leadership. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier then headed to the National Charter Monument where he met senior officers marking the 2nd Commemoration Day. HRH the Crown Prince stressed the crucial importance of the Commemoration Day and paid tribute to the martyrs of duty, hailing their sacrifices for their nation. “We take pride in the sacrifices of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and fell in the line of duty for the sake of their homeland and nation”, HRH the Crown Prince said, praying to Allah Almighty to rest their souls in eternal peace. The senior officers congratulated the wise leadership and the people of Bahrain on the anniversary of the establishment of the modern state of Bahrain as an Arab and Muslim country in 1783 by its founder Ahmed Al-Fateh, the 45th Anniversary of its accession to the UN as a full member and the 17th Anniversary of HM the King’s Accession to the Throne.