Rome: The Kingdom of Bahrain participated in the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, organised by the Italian Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, with support from Religions for Peace. The conference included a general parliamentary discussion focused on the role of parliamentarians in fostering dialogue between religions and beliefs to build trust and hope for a shared future.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Division, emphasised that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Kingdom has demonstrated that tolerance and coexistence can be realised through practical and effective initiatives. He highlighted that Bahrain is a country that embraces mosques, churches, and temples, allowing all religious groups to practice their faith freely and safely. This environment is supported by constitutional and legislative frameworks that protect individual rights, promote coexistence, and uphold freedom of conscience and the sanctity of places of worship.
Al Musallam noted that this model reflects a consistent national approach aimed at strengthening cultural ties and fostering values of openness and tolerance to build a more united and stable society. He underscored Bahrain's pioneering initiatives, including the Bahrain Declaration for tolerance and coexistence and the Bahrain Dialogue Forum, which brought together global religious leaders three years ago for historic meetings that emphasised interfaith cooperation to achieve global peace and reinforce human fraternity.
He pointed out that these efforts align with Bahrain's national context, supported by robust legislation and government plans led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He underlined the importance of sharing successful experiences in coexistence and dialogue, stating that Bahrain presents a leading example of religious pluralism and openness, attributed to the vision of His Majesty the King, who has promoted a culture of tolerance for decades.
The Speaker also highlighted the significance of parliamentary dialogue in addressing contemporary challenges. He called for unified efforts to combat hate speech and extremism while developing legislation that protects freedom of belief and safeguards societies from harmful practices. He noted that parliamentary gatherings serve not only as platforms for legislative cooperation but also as forums for global dialogue and trust-building among peoples.
Al Musallam emphasised the need to revisit the Manama Declaration, issued at the 146th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union hosted by Bahrain, and the Marrakech Declaration, adopted at the interfaith parliamentary conference held in Morocco. He said both declarations offer practical frameworks for advancing dialogue, tolerance, and the fight against extremism.
The Speaker addressed the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories, stating that any serious discussion on peace and coexistence must consider the reality facing Palestinians, who are deprived of basic rights such as access to food, water, and medicine. Describing the situation as catastrophic, he called on the international community to take urgent action to end the war and protect civilians.
He reiterated Bahrain's consistent stance in support of resolving conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy, and political negotiations, particularly in the Middle East, for the benefit of the people.