Written by Nayla Barakat
Manama, June 3 (BNA) The Advisor for Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs praised Bahrain’s position and commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief.
Jean-Christophe Bossell praised Bahrain’s continued commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, saying it was important to build a common community.
“I want to pay tribute to this fact about the Kingdom of Bahrain that it is committed to promoting freedom of religion or belief and promoting interfaith dialogue, which is very important in our multi-religious and multicultural societies,” Bousil told the Bahrain News Agency. On the sidelines of the European Union and Bahrain conference “Expanding the Tent: Freedom of Religion and Belief”.
If we are not trained with courageous respect, this interfaith dialogue will not be able to build a common community. And it would be, firstly, a failure and secondly, a danger to our societies.”
He added that the conference topic on the dialogue on religious freedom and beliefs is very important at any time and anywhere in the world because freedom of religion or belief is one of the most important human rights.
“Everyone in the world says that they respect the freedom of religion or belief, but in reality, this is far from that. We know that there are many violations and sometimes countries and people do not realize that there are violations of this freedom. So, it is very important anywhere and at any time put it on the agenda of the international community.”
Speaking about his participation in the conference, he said that he was invited by the event organizers, Bahrain through the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, and the European Union delegation.
He said, “As a keynote speaker, I discussed the French situation and tried to get some clarification on the French concept of laïcité, (the French form of laïcité) which is sometimes not well understood outside France.”
He said he had expected the three-day conference to be a reaffirmation that freedom is a fundamental right, and that every country and society should be careful because it is not something that is granted forever.”
“And I am always a little skeptical when I hear that all is well – because it is not right. Each country should examine its own situation, what can be improved?”