King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence inauguration held

Manama, Nov. 5 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has deputized Education Minister, Chairman of the Higher Education Council, Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi, to attend the official opening of the King Hamad Chair in Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-Existence held under royal patronage at the Sapienza University. Participants in the opening ceremony attached great significance to the outputs of the new Academic discipline in disseminating the culture of tolerance and boosting principles of coexistence and dialogue. They also highlighted its importance in finding a common ground for raising awareness and countering terrorism, saying the academic chair reflects the vision of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to promote the culture of dialogue and coexistence. President of Sapienza University Prof. Eugenio Gaudio, in his speech, said today’s celebration is held to draw attention to a three-year cooperation effort between the Sapienza University and University of Bahrain to turn the royal vision into reality, which would not have been made without the directives of HM the King. He emphasized the peaceful coexistence and dialogue is essential for communities in their fight against violence, discrimination and hatred. He welcomed Bahrain’s support for the Sapienza University, which has assisted in enhancing the volume of cultural activities and scholarships. Prof. Gaudio said the results achieved accentuate the depth of relations with Bahrain, as s key promoter, extending gratitude to HM the King for his support for the Sapienza University. Prof. Alessandro Saggioro said it is a great responsibility for Sapienza University to host the Chair of King Hamad that seeks to spread peace, which is the basis of international relations. He added that the interreligious dialogue and coexistence have become essentials for ensuring economic, political and social freedom and important elements for curbing wars, hatred and conflicts. The Education Minister, in a statement on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, extended sincere congratulations to HM the King on the inauguration of the King Hamad Chair at the prestigious Italian University. He paid tribute to the royal directives that emphasize coexistence, religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue as the bases for relations among people. He said the inauguration of this Chair has supported Bahrain's international academic standing, noting the new Academic discipline will allow the university students to conduct scientific researches and studies in the field of tolerance and religious science. He added the Chair would provide the opportunity for training young researchers on the same values, of which the Kingdom of Bahrain is recognized for. also attended the opening ceremony, Chairman of King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, Dr. Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Second Deputy Chairman of King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, Head of This is Bahrain, Betsy B Mathieson, University of Bahrain President Dr. Riyadh Hamza and the accompanying delegation. The Sapienza University has the largest community of students; it comprises 120,000 students, 3,500 academics, 11 colleges, 63 departments and 81 programmes. Commemorative gifts were exchanged at the end of the ceremony.