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Bahrain showcased at roadshow in Paris

MANAMA, June 17, 2015

Hundreds of Parisians flocked to learn more about Bahrain’s harmonious religious and cultural diversity from a travelling interfaith group yesterday (June 16).

The “This Is Bahrain” Exhibition, Conference and Dialogue at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile opened at 5pm (Paris time), but many queued in advance after hearing about the event from local media, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The visitors were seen interacting with exhibitors representing religious groups, cultural and sports clubs, ministries and government bodies, businesses and local committees, such as the Old Manama Suq Committee, which showcased 100-year-old photographs of the suq for the first time.

“This Is Bahrain” is the brainchild of the Bahrain Federation of Expatriate Associations (BFEA), and was set up to highlight Bahrain’s religious acceptance and promote understanding between cultures and faiths.

The Paris event, which is  fourth in the series that started in May last year, is being held for the first time in collaboration with the Economic Development Board, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company and Batelco.

“We have been overwhelmed by the warmth and sincerity of the welcome we have experienced all over Paris – whether it is the Grand Mosque of Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Shoah Memorial in Drancy or the Sikh Temple, who offered a special prayer for His Majesty King Hamad and the people of Bahrain,” said BFEA secretary-general Betsy Mathieson.

“Our message of peace and love was warmly reciprocated and we felt at home throughout the beautiful, historic city of Paris.

“Bahrain’s doors are open for all from France to visit as we solidify our relationships and further share our outstanding rights of religious freedom.

“In Bahrain everyone is free to practice their faith unhindered and here today you have met delegates from our Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities, but let me be clear that our religious freedom is not something new.

“The right to religious freedom has been in place in Bahrain for hundreds of years. People from all cultures, religions and beliefs have lived together harmoniously in the spirit of mutual respect, resulting in the peaceful co-existence which still exists in Bahrain today.”

Mathieson said His Majesty had made sincere commitment that religious freedoms continue despite the overwhelming threats that the region faces from extremist groups such as the Islamic State (IS).

“At a time when religious sects are being persecuted for their beliefs, we are proud that in Bahrain we are guaranteed our right to safety and security and our right to religious freedom,” she said.

“We believe our humble Bahrain model of religious freedom and peaceful co-existence is the key to combating extremism and radicalisation in a world that is in the vicious grip of a dark, spiralling vortex of ignorance, hate and violence.”

Meanwhile, French Union des Peuples pour la Paix (French Union for Peace between People) president Shaikh Hassen Chalgoumi praised Bahrain’s religious harmony.

“Bahrain is a multi-faith country where everyone, regardless of beliefs, is being respected and loved – unlike the IS that is killing people in the name of Islam, while it is clear terrorism has no religion,” he said.

“Bahrain is a true model that can’t be matched, but must be learned from.”

Bahrain’s Dialogue Table of Religions and Cultures (Tasamah) chairman Shaikh Salah Al Jowder, French Grand Rabbi Moshe Schag and Bahrain’s Businesswomen Society co-ordination and follow-up committee head Afnan Al Zayani also spoke at the event.

The next edition of the “This is Bahrain” roadshow is set to be held in the US, in Washington and New York, this September. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | paris | Showcase | IS | this |

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