KHGC Chairman pays tribute to HH Pope’s legacy of championing peace, interfaith dialogue
Manama, Apr. 21 (BNA): Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the "King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance" (KHGC), expressed his condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He said that the world has lost a distinguished religious and humanitarian leader who dedicated his life to promoting peace and coexistence and rejecting hatred and extremism.
He extended condolences to the Vatican, followers of the Catholic Church, and all peace-loving peoples, highlighting that HH Pope Francis’s contributions to interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence will remain alive in global consciousness. He also noted the Pope’s efforts in calling for an end to conflict and supporting the poor and afflicted.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed highlighted that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, enjoys strong cultural and religious ties with the Vatican. These were reflected in the exchange of high-level visits, most notably the Pope’s historic visit to Bahrain in 2022 for the Bahrain Dialogue Forum "East and West for Human Coexistence," held under the patronage of His Majesty the King, as well as His Majesty’s meeting with HH Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2023. These engagements underscored both sides’ commitment to peace and rapprochement between peoples.
He emphasised the KHGC ‘s dedication to promoting these shared human values through continued educational and awareness programmes in partnership with international institutions, particularly the Vatican. He underscored that the efforts of the centre’s with His Majesty the King’s vision of tolerance and cultural diversity as a source of strength and unity.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed concluded by stating that HH Pope Francis’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations to follow a path of dialogue, goodwill, and compassion, and that the Kingdom would remain steadfast in its role as a beacon of coexistence and dialogue among civilisations and cultures.
