Deputy King meets Patriarch of Syriac Orthodox Church

Manama, Nov. 21 (BNA): The Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, today received the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, at Riffa Palace. HRH the Deputy King welcomed His Holiness to Bahrain, emphasising the Kingdom’s strong commitment to encouraging interfaith dialogue. HRH the Deputy King highlighted HM King Hamad’s efforts in promoting the principles of diversity and mutual respect, which are reflected by the recent launch of the King Hamad Chair in Inter-faith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at Sapienza University in Rome. HRH the Deputy King concluded by highlighting Bahrain’s historic multiculturalism, as well as the values of respect and understanding that exist among the Kingdom’s diverse society. For his part, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II expressed his gratitude to HRH the Deputy King for the warm reception, and welcomed the Kingdom’s cultural openness and long-standing support for religious freedoms. The Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Khalifa also attended the meeting.