Bahraini Deputy PM Emphasizes Importance of Safeguarding Gulf Societies and Preserving Their Authentic Identity

Manama, October 20 (KUNA) -- Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa stressed today, Tuesday, the importance of the role played by the ministries and authorities of Islamic affairs and endowments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in protecting the youth and the family, preserving Islamic and Arab identity, enhancing social cohesion, and ensuring security and stability, as well as confronting ideological and cultural challenges.

This came during a meeting between the Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister at his office in the Qudibiya Palace with the ministers responsible for Islamic affairs and endowments in the GCC countries, who are participating in their 12th meeting hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, including Kuwait’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Al-Osmi.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah emphasized that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, continues its approach of upholding the values of moderation and tolerance derived from the essence of the noble Islamic religion and a conscious and authentic understanding of the higher objectives of Islamic Sharia, considering them a fundamental pillar for enhancing intellectual security and preserving societal identity.

During the meeting, the ministers conveyed the greetings of the leaders of the GCC countries to the King of Bahrain and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, while the Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister conveyed the greetings of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the leaders of the GCC countries.

He reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s firm and absolutely united stance with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its full support for all legitimate measures and steps taken to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its territory and the security of its citizens and residents, based on established principles that Saudi security constitutes a strategic depth and an authentic extension of Bahrain’s security and the GCC countries’ security system, and is the main pillar of regional stability.

In this regard, he appreciated Saudi Arabia’s monumental efforts and its mobilization of all resources for the maintenance of the Two Holy Mosques, the care of the holy sites, and the service of the guests of Allah.

He stressed that the aggressive practices and repeated attacks carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi militia do not merely constitute a blatant violation of UN charters, international norms, and humanitarian laws, but go further to represent a grave violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and an affront to the feelings of Muslims across the world.

He highlighted the continuous development and high-level coordination witnessed in GCC cooperation in Islamic and endowment affairs, emphasizing the importance of building on achieved accomplishments by intensifying the exchange of expertise and successful experiences, and unifying shared visions and positions in regional and international forums to serve the issues of the Islamic Ummah.

He also expressed his best wishes for the ministers’ success and hoped that their meeting would yield effective outcomes and decisions that benefit joint GCC efforts.

For their part, the ministers responsible for Islamic affairs and endowments in the GCC countries expressed their deep gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for its warm reception and organization, and commended the Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister for his keenness and interest in supporting all initiatives that enhance cooperation and integration among GCC countries in various fields, particularly in Islamic and endowment affairs. (End) K.N.A / A.M.S