Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence (KHGC), welcomed the gesture of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of donating a plot of land for the construction of a Greek Orthodox Church, which embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to religious pluralism and peaceful coexistence.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed praised the royal approach of embracing all religions and beliefs in the Kingdom and promoting closer ties between cultures and civilisations.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah’s remarks came on the occasion of signing the contract for the construction of the new church in the Seef area. He stated that this event reflects Bahrain’s commitment to guaranteeing religious freedoms, positioning the Kingdom as a beacon of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and a thriving oasis where religious rituals can be practised freely and securely. He also noted His Majesty’s support for all efforts and initiatives aimed at strengthening human fraternity and creating a more peaceful and prosperous future for all humanity.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah said the new church is another example of the values of harmony and coexistence in the Bahraini community, highlighting the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah affirmed that His Majesty the King, is a leader of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence, seeking to foster peace and tolerance, inspired by the Kingdom’s deep-rooted values and legacy. He recounted that the Kingdom was home to the first Hindu temple in the Gulf in 1819, which reflects Bahrain’s long-standing commitment to moderation and openness.
On this occasion, the Chairman congratulated the board of the Greek Orthodox Church and those overseeing its construction. He also invited them to benefit from the initiative launched by the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, in cooperation with the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), on the “Green Worship Spaces” programme. He explained that this initiative aims to enhance community participation in combating climate change and to promote scientific research in areas relevant to places of worship, such as architecture and the use of renewable energy.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also highlighted Bahrain’s outstanding success in humanitarian efforts, and implementing the vision and objectives of the Bahrain Declaration. He concluded by noting that the mission of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence stems from a deep understanding of the importance of promoting human fraternity by protecting religious practices and fostering the values of solidarity and harmony within societies.
