International Day of Peace celebration held by Torch of Love and Peace Association

Manama, In collaboration with the Gulf University, the Torch of Love and Peace Association organised a celebration for the International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21, under the theme "Cultivating a Culture of Peace." This event was also part of the university's Sustainability Week. Atiyatullah Rouhani, President of the Torch of Love and Peace Association, highlighted the importance of community partnerships in promoting peace, particularly among younger generations, to ensure they grow in peaceful and loving environments. He commended Bahrain's efforts to foster religious tolerance and spread a culture of peace, thanks to the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Rouhani emphasised that the association frequently organises events with various organisations, aiming to instill values of peace and coexistence across different age groups. He stressed that promoting a culture of peace is vital for social cohesion and sustainable development. He also noted that teaching peace from an early age enhances mutual respect, cooperation, and responsible citizenship. Professor Mohanad Al Mashhadani, President of Gulf University, expressed his gratitude to HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his efforts in promoting peace and coexistence, and to the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for fostering peace and rejecting violence and hatred. He underscored the importance of the role of universities in instilling values of peace, particularly among the youth, to encourage dialogue, tolerance, and conflict resolution for sustainable development. Dr. Sharaf AlMezel, a professor of modern history at the University of Bahrain, highlighted Bahrain's long-standing tradition of peace and coexistence, particularly in its capital, Manama, where people of different faiths and backgrounds live harmoniously. She also highlighted the effo rts of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, which aims to promote the values of peace and the teachings of Islam, while encouraging the exchange of cultures and ideas. The event featured several segments, including a video message featuring United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in which he focused on the need to spread peace and end global conflicts. Poet Najem Haider recited a poem on peace, and a group of children performed a song dedicated to peace. Source: Bahrain News Agency