Interior Minister launches National Plan to promote values of nationalism

Manama, Mar. 26 (BNA): As part of the Royal vision of promoting loyalty and patriotism, His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa launched the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism. The event was attended by Their Excellencies Ministers, senior officials, religious scholars, members of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council, presidents of universities and institutes, heads of schools, representatives of human rights organisations, editors-in-chief of newspapers, businessmen, lawyers, doctors, owners of majlises and heads of sports clubs and youth centres. HE Interior Minister delivered the following speech at the event: In the name of Allah the Merciful "And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do." Your Excellencies Distinguished attendees Peace, mercy and blessings of God I am honoured to welcome you with gratitude on behalf of the members of the Ministerial Committee formed to promote the spirit of belonging to the nation and appreciate your presence at the ceremony to launch the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism. The nation is not only a geographical area where we live but also encompasses its citizens’ history, roots, culture and identity. The reinforcement of the spirit of belonging to the nation and the values of nationalism are not only about feelings. They constitute the basic guarantees for national stability. The main reasons the National Plan was formulated are, firstly, the directives of His Majesty the King in his speeches on many national occasions through which we draw the wisdom and seek the vision to promote nationalism and its values. Secondly there is the issue of security responsibility towards the community. Maintaining security is our responsibility and the main goal since we have been entrusted with making society secure both at present and in the future within the framework of our national security. Another reason is appreciation for the men who sacrifice their lives to achieve security and stability. The truth that we must not forget is that our national identity is being targeted, most particularly by Iran, which is determined to promote sectarian extremism, cause disturbances affecting security, and spread sedition in Bahraini society. Distinguished Attendees, The purpose of the National Plan is to protect the authentic values and traditions of the children of Bahrain which represent the best form of solidarity among the people of a nation, and to work within the spirit of nationalism to maintain the nation’s security and stability by reinforcing among the citizens the sense of belonging to the nation and thus strengthen the harmony among all sections of society. On this occasion, I would like to thank the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, for approving the initiative in September 2018 as a national plan and setting up the Ministerial Committee on 6 January 2019. The thanks also extend to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for his support for the initiative and for naming it ‘Our Bahrain’. I would also like to thank His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works & Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, for his national initiatives to develop and improve the self-esteem of the youth and for his achievements in promoting the Bahraini identity internationally. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Attendees, Bahrain is more than a land or a place. It also has the legitimacy of its leadership, history, achievements and the human element. Our Bahraini identity is rich in values and traditions based on Islam and inherited from our fathers and grandfathers. This national identity authentically represents the wisdom and the spirit of generosity, respect for others and coexistence characteristic of the Bahraini personality and is the best model of relationship between the leader of the nation and the citizens. For developing the Bahraini identity with its Arab mission and rooted in the value of Islam and moderation one is filled with gratitude for the leadership of H0is Majesty the King who has inculcated genuine Bahraini values among his citizens who are proud of their identity. He has taken to the path of national unity which leads to glory. If we want Bahrain to be stronger in the face of attempts to compromise its security, stability and social peace, we must overcome the divide created by extremism and sectarianism with a belief in the love for the nation and a sense of belonging to it. Your Excellencies, Distinguished attendees, The National Plan is a result of immense efforts, work and continuous committee meetings with clear goals and should function as a general framework for all public authorities as well as the private sector, the NGOs and the media to promote the spirit of nationalism. I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the committees that volunteered and worked hard to formulate this plan which, by the grace of God, would be implemented through 70 national initiatives. Your Excellencies, Distinguished attendees, Finally, I would like to affirm that the loyalty to Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty the King is not a text that can be interpreted in different ways. The spirit of nationalism is a form of identity and lives in the souls of the people before any text. A Bahraini citizen is great through his nation and is proud of his leadership and his Bahraini, Arab and Islamic identity. I pray to God the goals of this ambitious national plan are achieved and Bahrain remains protected under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Peace, mercy and blessings of God After that, a film on the National Plan was screened which highlighted its progress from its inception to implementation as well as its goals and initiatives. The event also focused on the plan which was initiated by HE the Interior Minister. It was then approved by the Cabinet and a committee to follow up its execution was set up. Then HE the Interior Minister launched the plan, the first national project that can be followed electronically. The National Plan has five main streams covering all sections of society. Each stream has initiatives which will be implemented by various authorities under the supervision of the executive committee. In all, the plan has about 70 initiatives, each meant to achieve certain goals. (MOI)