Manama, July 27 (BNA) Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa held a meeting devoted to the Ashura season.
The meeting was attended by the head of the Jaafari Endowment Council, Yousef bin Saleh Al-Saleh, members of the General Authority for Hussainiya Processions and heads of community centers in the governorates.
The meeting, which aims to strengthen community partnership, was also attended by the Chief of Public Security and the governors.
The Minister of Interior delivered a speech in which he expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation for the support provided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the success of the Ashura season to make it a human reference for religious freedom and pluralism.
He valued the government’s keenness, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide a safe environment and the requirements of all seasons to contribute to the success of Ashura.
He said that the Ashura rituals were held in previous seasons, despite the challenges of the health epidemic and unusual conditions. He stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination between all ministries and relevant institutions by providing the services required to protect public health and safety during the season.
He valued the awareness and sense of responsibility of the heads of the community centers and the authority, and their commitment and cooperation to celebrate this occasion in a civilized manner. He emphasized the importance of protecting responsible religious discourse.
The Minister of Interior said that Ashura in Bahrain has special characteristics, and in order to preserve its spirituality, it calls under the cover of religious tourism to receive foreign religious convoys to participate in mourning processions, in contradiction to the Kingdom’s specialization in celebrating this occasion. He said that the celebration of this occasion should be limited to citizens and residents.
“We will not receive foreign convoys to protect the security and safety of mourners and well organize the occasion,” he said, noting that regional destinations to celebrate the occasion are known.
For their part, the heads of the community centers expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Interior for his cooperation and dedication in providing all the facilities required for the success of the Ashura season. They highlighted the role of governors in providing the required needs and the continuous cooperation and coordination. They affirmed their support for moderate religious discourse and the rejection of sectarianism by promoting love and respect among Bahrainis.
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