Manama: Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, said that the success achieved by the Kingdom of Bahrain each year in observing Ashoora reflects the Kingdom's leading position in safeguarding religious freedoms, respecting beliefs, and promoting the values of coexistence and tolerance.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Chairman Al Saleh noted that the support for Ashoora from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, along with His Majesty's continued attention to religious observances, represents a firm national approach that confirms Bahrain's commitment to protecting and preserving religious freedoms and strengthening social cohesion across all components of society, based on mutual respect and solidarity.
He commended the significant efforts of the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the integrated services and capabilities provided by all relevant authorities, which contributed to the success of Ashoora. He said that working as Team Bahrain under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister reflects the efficiency of national institutions and their ability to achieve the highest levels of organisation and excellence, and highlights the Kingdom's distinctive civilised approach to hosting and supporting religious practices and rituals, in line with the National Action Charter and the Constitution of Bahrain.
The Shura Chairman also commended the efforts of the Ministry of Interior, the Sunni and Jaafari Endowments Affairs Council, and all official community and voluntary bodies, noting their cooperation, coordination and dedication in fulfilling national responsibilities and duties, which helped provide an appropriate environment for the observance of religious rituals while preserving the sanctity and status of the occasion. He commended the commitment of maatams, their leaders and organisers to the regulations and instructions issued by the relevant authorities, reflecting a strong commitment to safeguarding Ashoora as one of the most prominent expressions of religious freedom, and as a reflection of Bahrain's longstanding tradition of respect for religions and sects, and its promotion of the values of coexistence, tolerance and fraternity.
He said that the positive examples of cooperation, solidarity and community partnership seen during Ashoora reflect the awareness of Bahraini society and its commitment to noble values and established national principles. He added that this reflects the Kingdom's distinctive civilisational model in coexistence, tolerance and respect for religious and sectarian diversity, affirming that Bahrain will continue to be a place of peace, coexistence and tolerance, and a leading civilisational model in embracing religious and cultural diversity and strengthening fraternity and cohesion among all components of society.