Riffa: Marking the Kingdom of Bahrain's National Day and the Anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's Accession to the Throne, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, inaugurated the new headquarters of Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation in Riffa. The ceremony was attended by members of the Royal Family, ministers, senior officials, and invited guests.
According to Bahrain News Agency, upon arrival, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah was received by Her Highness Shaikha Zain bint Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at Al Mabarrah Al Khalifia Foundation, alongside other dignitaries including His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Southern Governor, and His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. The Deputy Prime Minister toured the headquarters and was briefed on the awards won by the building's design, as well as its modern facilities and components aimed at supporting educational, training, and social programmes.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah emphasized that Bahrain's progress in the charitable sector aligns with the visions of His Majesty the King and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He noted that their leadership has fostered an advanced approach to supporting civil society initiatives and enhancing the role of charitable institutions as partners in achieving sustainable national development.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the increase in charitable institutions in the Kingdom, reflecting national awareness of the importance of community work in supporting the development ecosystem. This growth, he remarked, is indicative of a culture of initiative and social responsibility ingrained in the people of Bahrain, leading to evolved administrative practices that enable organizations to create impactful programmes.
He also recalled the foundational support from the late His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, whose patronage and encouragement established the Foundation's approach to solidarity and social development. Over 14 years, the Foundation has become a model for community initiatives in social support and educational empowerment, benefiting an increasing number of people each year.
During the event, the Deputy Prime Minister engaged with trainers, student council members, and participants of the Rayaat, Ithra, and Watheq programmes, expressing admiration for the competence these initiatives produce. He lauded their integrated approach, which is rooted in the belief that investing in people is crucial for progress, with a tangible impact on developing entrepreneurial projects that benefit the nation.
Furthermore, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah launched a book documenting the Foundation's journey, showcasing its programme development and success stories in family support, youth empowerment, and social and development projects.
He commended the Board of Trustees, chaired by HH Shaikha Zain bint Khalid, for their role in advancing the Foundation's mission and expanding its programmes in line with national goals. He expressed his wishes for the continued success of the Board, executive management, and all Foundation members.
HH Shaikha Zain bint Khalid expressed gratitude to His Majesty the King for supporting the Foundation, enabling it to serve the community effectively. She also thanked HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the constructive cooperation from government bodies, enhancing the Foundation's ability to achieve its goals.
She praised the efforts of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa in empowering Bahraini women, highlighting the Foundation's youth-focused programmes as avenues for translating these visions into impactful initiatives.
Expressing appreciation to the Deputy Prime Minister for inaugurating the new headquarters, HH Shaikha Zain bint Khalid noted that his presence inspires the team to continue their work with dedication. She emphasized that the new facility marks a significant stage in the Foundation's progress, underscoring its commitment to investing in Bahraini youth as key to future development.
The new headquarters, located in the heart of Riffa, spans over 2,700 square metres with a built-up area exceeding 8,500 square metres. Designed to the latest architectural standards, it consists of two main four-storey buildings connected by a suspended bridge. One building is dedicated to educational and development programmes, while the other supports the Foundation's operational sustainability through commercial units and offices.