SCIA President receives Bahrain National Evangelical Church Pastor

Manama, June 23 (BNA):  Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), received Reverend Hani Aziz, Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Bahrain.

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed highlighted the bonds that unite the various components of Bahraini society, which are characterised by mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.  He underscored His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s commitment to advancing a culture of coexistence and religious openness.

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed also highlighted successful Bahraini initiatives, including the recent Intra–Islamic Dialogue, which was attended by His Eminence Professor Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar.   He noted that this dialogue was an important platform for encouraging understanding and tolerance among different Islamic schools of thought, showing how religions can promote constructive dialogue, support unity, and reject division and extremism.

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed also highlighted the Bahrain Dialogue Forum, held in November 2022 and attended by the late Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar.  The forum was internationally praised for encouraging interfaith dialogue, especially between Islam and Christianity, and for bringing together leaders from different religions and cultures. It promoted tolerance, mutual respect, and social peace.

He pointed out that coexistence in the Kingdom of Bahrain is not new, but rather a deeply rooted approach established by forefathers and ancestors over many decades, where all have lived together in relationships marked by mutual respect and a shared sense of belonging to one nation.

On his part, Reverend Aziz commended the pioneering reform initiatives led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.  He also commended Bahrain’s environment, which celebrates religious freedom and cultural diversity, reflecting the bright image of Bahrain’s cohesive and tolerant society.

At the end of the meeting, Reverend Aziz expressed his deep appreciation to Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed, valuing the prominent role played by the SCIA in promoting the values of coexistence and religious openness, and in developing constructive dialogue among the various religious communities.