An annual Ramadan ghagbga bringing people of different faiths and ethnicities together has been staged at the National Evangelical Church in Manama.
Hosted by This Is Bahrain, the ghabga was held on Monday night under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, and attended by Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi and religious leaders and dignitaries.
The event opened with a heartfelt speech by Senior Pastor Blaine Newhouse, who thanked His Majesty and the people of Bahrain for fostering a compassionate and inclusive society.
“All faiths and ethnicities in Bahrain coexist in mutual respect and understanding,” said Pastor Blaine.
“Religious freedom has been a cornerstone of Bahrain’s values for centuries and continues to be passionately upheld.”
Pastor Blaine also led a prayer for the continued peace and prosperity of Bahrain, highlighting that such prayers are a regular feature of all weekly services at the National Evangelical Church.
As the evening went on, the choir delivered hymns in both English and Arabic, and a communal dinner was held in the courtyard.
This is Bahrain chairperson Betsy Mathieson also extended her deep gratitude to the King for his generous royal patronage of the event.
“It is a clear testament to His Majesty’s unwavering commitment to upholding Bahrain’s cherished legacy of peaceful coexistence,” said Ms Mathieson.
“I would also like to express my appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Bahraini government for their steadfast support of places of worship, clubs, associations and societies.
“This ensures that all communities have the freedom to worship and contribute positively to the nation.
“The annual Ramadan ghabgha reaffirms Bahrain’s long-standing commitment to interfaith harmony, respect and unity, and sets an exemplary standard for coexistence in the region and beyond.”
Pastor Hani Aziz of the Arabic congregation praised Bahrain as a global example of religious freedom and led a prayer for the kingdom to continue being a guiding light for others. Several other religious leaders and senior clergy delivered prayers in multiple languages.
Other notable attendees included American Mission Hospital chief executive Dr George Cheriyan and Al Raja School Principal Nicky Perfect, both of whom sent their thanks and appreciation to the Bahraini government for their role in healthcare and education.
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