BAHRAIN’S efforts to promote coexistence, dialogue and solidarity while supporting initiatives that strengthen Islamic cohesion have been highlighted by Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) president Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
He said His Majesty King Hamad’s patronage of a major Islamic conference being held in Bahrain next Wednesday and Thursday reflects the kingdom’s deep commitment to Islamic unity and dialogue.
Shaikh Abdulrahman, who is the conference high committee chairman, also commended the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its continued support in ensuring the success of the event.
Al Azhar Al Sharif Grand Imam and Muslim Council of Elders chairman Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb will be joined by more than 400 scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals and experts from across the Islamic world at the conference.
Held under the theme, ‘One Nation, A Shared Destiny’, the event is organised by Al Azhar Al Sharif, the SCIA in Bahrain and the Muslim Council of Elders.
The initiative follows the Grand Imam’s call during the Bahrain Dialogue Forum in November 2022 to strengthen Islamic unity and reinforce dialogue among Muslim scholars.
The conference aims to transition from discussions on rapprochement to a structured dialogue on shared principles and challenges.
Shaikh Abdulrahman highlighted that the conference will serve as a global platform for scholars, policymakers and thought leaders to engage in constructive dialogue, unify perspectives on key issues and reinforce intra-Islamic solidarity.
Al Azhar Al Sharif deputy Dr Mohamed Al Duwaini said that the conference presents a critical opportunity to address historical divisions and sectarian tensions through meaningful engagement and dialogue.
He emphasised that Al Azhar Al Sharif, under the leadership of the Grand Imam, remains committed to fostering unity, rejecting division and establishing a lasting framework for intra-Islamic co-operation.
Muslim Council of Elders secretary general Mohamed Abdel Salam affirmed that the forum is a moral and religious imperative, given the challenges facing the Muslim world.
He reiterated the council’s firm belief in dialogue as the most effective tool for achieving unity and expressed hope that the event would pave the way for new partnerships among Islamic institutions, reinforcing the values of fraternity, co-operation and peaceful coexistence.
He also expressed appreciation to Bahrain for hosting the conference and responding to the Grand Imam’s call for an inclusive Islamic dialogue that prioritises shared values while rejecting division and discord.
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