The second edition of the Joint Bahrain-EU Conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief has opened today.
Policy and decision makers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the European Union and representatives of civil society are taking part in the event.
The conference aims to promote the value of dialogue to deepen understanding of freedom of religions and beliefs, and to promote human cooperation on the principles of pluralism and diversity.
The conference is being hosted within the framework of "political dialogue, cooperation and enhanced communication between the European Union and the GCC countries."
The conference seeks to advocate constructive dialogue on freedom of religion and belief, present models and lessons learned from the Bahraini and the European experience, towards the development and implementation of this basic human right.
It provides a platform to discuss challenges amid mounting hatred fueled by extremists in societies, and their exploitation of digital media to enhance polarization, in a world that embraces monotheistic religions and more than 4,000 other religions and philosophies
The conference discusses strengthening Bahraini-European relations on issues of freedom of religion and belief at the regional and international levels, and promoting respect for this human right.
This is the second edition of the Conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief "Broadening the Horizon", which was held in Manama in May-June 2022.
A joint statement was then issued, aiming to build of bridges of cooperation between Bahrain and the European Union in the field of promoting freedom of religion or belief, in a way that supports the efforts of the Kingdom in delivering its civilized message to the world as a pioneering model in the field of respect for freedoms and rights.
The communique embodied Bahrain's keenness to strengthen existing cooperation and partnership with all parties of the international community, as well as activate the role of civil society, in order to contribute to the dissemination of inclusive human values, promote a culture of peace, coexistence and tolerance, and to support regional and international efforts to consolidate the values of moderation and rejection of hatred, violence and extremism.
Hosted by the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence and "This is Bahrain" association, the three-day conference seeks to come up with a common vision for a better understanding of the history of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union and their views on freedom of religion and belief.
The event reflects Bahrain's reputation thanks to the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as a leading global model for societies based on religious, civilizational and cultural diversity and pluralism.
It also reflects the Kingdom's strides in protecting religious freedoms and respecting religious, intellectual and cultural diversity within the framework of the principles of the constitution and the rule of law.
Source: Bahrain News Agency