Royal call to foster peace, tolerance, coexistence worldwide

Manama, Nov. 6 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa underlined Bahrain's efforts to boost peace, tolerance and coexistence all over the world, calling on all to contribute to achieving peaceful coexistence worldwide. In a recorded speech marking the inauguration of the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence at the Sapienza University, Rome, HM the King said by launching the academic chair, Bahrain hopes to reach the hearts and minds of the youth throughout the world by providing them with the needed knowledge and inspiration to invoke peaceful co-existence and love. He pointed out that when drafting the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration, the document began with the phrase "Ignorance is the Enemy of Peace". "We rely on the expertise, centuries of experience and immaculate reputation of the Renowned Faculty of Sapienza University to bring our vision to life," HM King Hamad said, adding that Bahrain will contribute in this way to the promotion of peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence worldwide. "Today, we are truly a "global family", and as such we share the same dreams and ambitions for our dear families. All of our children and grandchildren deserve a better world and we all have important contributions to make on this journey." "We, therefore, call upon you all to join hands and hearts on this journey to global peaceful coexistence. Finally, we share with you these guiding words from the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration "Faith Illuminates our Path to Peace". Let us have faith in God and in each other and faith that love conquers all." HM the King noted that the new academic disciplines will promote the lives of all peoples of all faiths from all over the world and will feature the rich curricula of religious studies, history, anthropology and cultural mediation, highlighting inter-faith dialogue as a means to achieving peaceful coexistence. "We are proud and honoured that the prestigious University of Sapienza, established in 1303, in the historic Italian capital of Rome, the European cradle of civilisations, will be our partner in our endeavour to make the world a more peaceful and just place for all." HM King Hamad conveyed his greetings to all the staff of the university, including mainly its President Prof. Rector Eugenio Gaudio, Prof. Antonelli Biagini, Prof. Pasquale Saggioro, faculty members and students, wishing them every success in their endeavours. Board of Trustees Chairman of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence Dr. Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa voiced pride in the inauguration of the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence, describing it as a real step forward towards fighting ignorance. He stressed the importance of knowledge, education and culture in fostering stability, coexistence and prosperity. He also emphasised the international royal achievements to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence through a humanitarian approach aimed at promoting harmony between nations. For her part, Board of Trustees Second Deputy Chairperson of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and President of This is Bahrain Society Betsy Mathieson said the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence is a new academic programme to meet contemporary needs, mainly amid the current global circumstances. She added that the academic chair will be available for the students from all over the world to learn about other religions and cultures and consolidate tolerance and peaceful coexistence. "The youth are the future and therefore we have to support, empower and inspire them," she said, affirming the importance of showing them the right way to co-exist with other people in light of prevalence of contradictory information mainly on social media websites. She expressed confidence that the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence will serve as a guide to the right path for the students to show them noble values. Education Minister Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi, the President of the Higher Education Council, lauded the royal speech marking the official inauguration of the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence. He stressed that Bahrain, under the leadership of HM the King, will remain a keen supporter of global peace and stability as well as interfaith dialogue, tolerance and coexistence. He also pointed out the Education Ministry's continuous efforts to translate the royal directives in academic curricula and educational activities so as to turn those values into a behaviour and practice inside and outside the school.