A COMPREHENSIVE programme to encourage the “spirit of national belonging” among citizens has been launched.
Mobadara (initiative) was introduced yesterday by Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and focuses on five elements: legislation and rules, curriculum, publications, public relations campaigns, and national programmes.
Shaikh Rashid urged members of the community to come forward to help draw up the initiative, which will later be presented as a draft law to the Cabinet.
The minister also launched an annual award for the best belonging and nationalism project at yesterday’s event, which was held at the Officers Club in Gudaibiya.
“Our security mission does not end with the uncovering of a terror group and the arrest of lawbreakers,” said Shaikh Rashid.
“We have managed to uncover numerous terrorist plots, plans and cells last year and over the years, and in this major achievement we cannot find a single word that discriminates between one citizen and another.
“Developing nationalism requires big hearts that rise above sectarianism and accommodate all.
“As part of the community partnership strategy and reinforcement of interaction with national, official and public organisations, we have a comprehensive mission which aims to achieve security and stability across the country.”
The initiative will also aim to address how extremists target and exploit the “Bahraini identity” and draw up mechanisms to prevent it in the future.
“We should have a comprehensive security viewpoint to understand the main reasons and motives that have a bearing on the general security situation,” said Shaikh Rashid.
“I want to focus on the dangers of targeting our Bahraini identity, as there are issues related to upbringing based on wrong doctrines, promotion of incitement, negative reports in the foreign media, and behavioural tendency to remain isolated that goes against integration.
“Teachers are important for they believe in their national mission and can pass it on to the youth.”
He explained that incitement of sectarianism and extremism continued to be a major threat that required urgent tackling.
“The tendency to promote incitement is an issue that should not recur,” he stressed.
“It spreads through political and religious speeches or the media and it has had a negative effect on the national identity and spirit.
“The reward of security personnel’s sacrifices to protect our national identity is for Bahrain to remain a nation of unity and love.
“On many occasions, His Majesty King Hamad highlighted that we are adopting a moderate approach and has called upon the people to free themselves from the isolation of sectarianism and extremism and progress towards nationalism.”
He said the initiative was essential to unite people from across the board under one banner, especially following the rifts caused by the 2011 unrest.
“We, by the grace of God, have been raised in a nation that is filled with love and therefore it is our duty to safeguard the trust we received by keeping Bahrain as one,” he said.
“The 2011 unrest has affected our relationships and there are efforts to bring all of us together and for every event and activity that brings us closer it enhances national belonging – we want to live for the future and not (return to) that specific year.
“This is why we are launching the initiative which will be drawn up by everyone in this community and presented to the Cabinet, while I am also glad to announce an annual award for the belonging and nationalism project under my ministry.”
The initiative was launched in the presence of elected and appointed legislators and municipal officials, clergymen, senior government officials and representatives from ma’atams and civil societies.
Read also: 357 arrested in 105 counter-terrorism operations by security forces; Terrorists paid as little as BD50 for an attack!
&uuid=(email))