Bahrain hosts first meeting of Permanent Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue

Written by Fatima Najm

Manama, May 24 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the first meeting of the Standing Committee for Islamic-Christian Dialogue, which included Muslim scholars and representatives of the Catholic Church.

Judge Mohamed Abd al-Salam, Secretary General of the Islamic Council of Elders, chaired the meeting, which was attended by members of the Council and the Vatican Monastery for Interfaith Dialogue.

The Permanent Committee for Muslim-Christian Dialogue was established under a joint memorandum of understanding between the Abu Dhabi-based Council of Muslim Elders and the Vatican City for Interfaith Dialogue as a direct result of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence, which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain last November. The forum was attended by His Holiness Pope Francis during his historic visit to Bahrain, and His Eminence, the Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb.

His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis have met nine times since May 2016, and their meetings have had a profound impact on all levels to improve relations between the world’s leading religions.

The inaugural meeting of the Standing Committee for Muslim-Christian Dialogue aims to coordinate joint efforts and initiatives to promote dialogue and coexistence between people of different religious and cultural backgrounds and to support Muslim-Christian dialogue. It is also part of the calls of the Bahrain Dialogue Forum to support joint projects between Islam and Christianity and to promote dialogue and coexistence at the global level.

Judge Abdul Salam said, “We thank Bahrain and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa not only for welcoming this committee but for his belief and support for dialogue between different religions, beliefs and cultures, and for his efforts in this field.” .

He pointed out that the meeting was exceptional with the most important Islamic and Christian personalities. They discussed prominent challenges and issues, including climate change, and the role of religious figures in addressing such problems that threaten the future of humanity.

Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, Head of the Vatican Office for Interreligious Dialogue, said: “The Bahrain Declaration will always remain another cornerstone for building human fraternity, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. I am very happy that our first meeting took place here in Manama, to promote and implement a culture of spreading peace.”
“I accompanied the blessed father on his visit to Bahrain, we are very grateful, and His Holiness the Pope has praised this many times for the warm welcome of His Majesty, and I would like to thank everyone for the efforts made. And all the facilities that were provided, especially all the people and residents who were very warm welcoming coffee beans , ”