The Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Europe has been inaugurated during a ceremony held in Rome.
The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence unveiled the covenant in the presence of ambassadors, diplomats and officials, in addition to 100 students enrolled in the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence.
Addressing the ceremony, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Italy Dr Nasser Mohammed Al Balushi said that the launch of the declaration in Europe from Italy, amid critical international circumstances, represents a defining moment for promoting all forms of peaceful coexistence, as stated in the document.
Italy hosts the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence, which was launched at Sapienza University in 2018.
“This chair, the first of its kind in the world, aims to enlighten young people from all over the world to confront terrorism, extremism and radicalism, and arm them with knowledge and inspire them to spread peaceful coexistence and love all over the world,” said Dr Al Balushi.
Andrea Ponzo, Special Envoy for Inter-religious Dialogue at the Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Ministry in Italy, said, “We are pleased that Bahrain has chosen Italy to start launching the document of the Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Europe.
“This choice reflects the great role played by the Italian Republic within the framework of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue. Preserving freedom of belief and interfaith dialogue are goals that support cohesive societies.”
He stated that interfaith dialogue can enhance co-operation between the spectrum of society and protect against falling in the cauldron of extremism and racism, which negatively affect the freedom of belief and the guarantee of human rights.
King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence vice chair Betsy Mathieson said Bahrain’s declaration has been praised by world leaders.
“His Holiness Pope Francis praised the declaration and quoted it during his historic visit to the kingdom, which reinforces the importance of the document as a global roadmap for peace and coexistence,” she said.
She noted that the declaration represents the founding document for all the work of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence.
“Since its establishment by a Royal Decree, the centre has focused on educational programmes for young people,” she said.
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