Rome: The King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance (KHGC) was a key participant in the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Rome. The conference, themed 'Building Trust and Embracing Hope for Our Shared Future', was organized by the Inter Parliamentary Union and the Italian Parliament and saw attendance from eminent parliamentary, religious, political, and academic figures worldwide.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and KHGC Chairman, highlighted Bahrain's commitment to promoting tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity. He attributed this commitment to the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and support from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed expressed pride in the Centre's strategic partnership with the IPU, marked by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2024, leading to initiatives such as the Science for Peace Schools.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed, during a panel discussion on countering religious hatred, called for unified international efforts to combat violence, extremism, and hate speech. He emphasized the severe impact of these issues on civilians, especially women and children, in conflicts that violate human values and international law. He also detailed Bahrain's initiatives like the Bahrain Declaration and the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, aimed at fostering religious freedom and interfaith dialogue.
He further highlighted the establishment of KHGC as a civil institution dedicated to peace and mutual respect, opposing the misuse of religion for conflict. The Centre offers educational programs and supports initiatives like the King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance. Additionally, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla outlined Bahrain's role as a partner in global peace, evidenced by its election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2026-2027.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla called for an international conference on coexistence and urged the adoption of a convention to criminalize hate speech based on religion, sect, or race. He also supported a treaty to regulate artificial intelligence for global peace and development.
In the first thematic session, Abdulla Isa Al Mannai, Executive Director of KHGC, stressed that coexistence is an ethical commitment rooted in dignity and equality. He emphasized religion's role in building inclusive societies and highlighted initiatives like the Green Places of Worship, promoting environmental responsibility through faith. He also underscored the importance of guiding the ethical use of artificial intelligence and called for collective action to realize coexistence values for future generations.