Bahrain : Minister of Tourism, Fatima bint Jafar Al-Sairafi, has affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a meeting point for civilisations between East and West, and an ancient crossroads of trade routes. She said the kingdom’s strategic geographic location has contributed to the consolidation of openness and tolerance among the Bahraini people and made it a favorable destination for several centuries. She added that this is the approach of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in accordance with the visions and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The minister made the statement during a media briefing held by the National Communication Centre (NCC) at the media centre. She was joined by Information Minister Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Alnoaimi.
The Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Information praised the historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom of Bahrain at the invitation of HM the King, describing it as an assertion of Bahrain’s role in fostering religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Minister of Tourism underlined the importance attached by the government to promoting the local tourism industry, pointing out the kingdom’s strategy within the Economic Recovery Plan. She said that the strategy aims to highlight Bahrain’s standing as an international tourism hub and increase the contribution of this sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She affirmed the kingdom’s strides in promoting the tourism industry and reaching the strategic goals. She pointed out the kingdom’s success in hosting and organizing major events like F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Minister of Information underlined Bahrain’s constant approach of supporting the principles of coexistence and peace to ensure a better future for the peoples in the world. He praised the outcomes of Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence which was held in conjunction with the historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom of Bahrain at the invitation of HM the King. He commended the royal speech delivered by His Majesty during a meeting with HH the Pope in which HM underscored the significance of international partnership based on the diplomatic dialogue and peaceful means to end wars and conflicts.
The Minister of Information underlined congruity of the visions between HM the King and HH the Pope and the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, which call for the ostracization of violence and hatred and the promotion of coexistence and peace.
The minister reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to backing all initiatives aimed at fostering cultural pluralism, peace and inter-faith rapprochement, outlining the programme of the historic visit of HH Pope Francis and the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb.
