Manama, May. 6. (BNA) – Former President of Al Azhar University and Member of the Council of Senior Scholars Prof. Ahmed Omar Hashim praised the Kingdom of Bahrain’s several initiatives to support civilised dialogue among diverse nations, religions and sects.

He valued highly Bahrain’s hosting of the ‘inter-civilisations and inter-cultures dialogue’ conference, and the ‘rapprochement among Islamic sects’ conference previously.

In a statement to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), he expressed thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the government and people of Bahrain for hosting the conference, affirming the importance of this civilised conference in serving Bahrain, as well as the Arab and Islamic nations.

He lauded His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s invitation to complete the National Consensus Dialogue in Bahrain.

He praised the large number of participants, representing many countries, religions, sects and specialities, who came to participate in this conference.

He said that the importance of the conference lies in being held at a critical time during which the Arab and Islamic nations are facing serious challenges, internally and externally, in light of the spread of many negative phenomena, noting that a dialogue that leads to vital results and recommendations is needed ensure security and stability.

He said he would lecture about “intellectual extremism and its impact on the development of the phenomenon of violence and the clash of civilisations” during the conference.

He stressed the Arab Nation’s dire need for such important conferences in order to agree on the best ways to counter terrorism and promote security, peace and stability.

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BNA 1550 GMT 2014/05/06