Paris, Sept. 8 (BNA): Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa stressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s keenness on consolidating practices of pluralism, diversification as well as enhancing the culture of coexistence, tolerance, openness and acceptance of others in the Middle East and worldwide.

The minister pointed out that Bahrain has established a model to be followed by others in religious and cultural diversity, which enrich and strengthen continuous development of the society in all areas. He noted that Bahrain, with a population of 1.3 million from different sects, enjoys complete liberty and accommodates 19 churches, 2 synagogues, a number of temples, and thousands of mosques.

This came while he is participating in the International Conference on the Protection of Victims of Ethnic and Religious Violence in the Middle East held on Tuesday, September 8 in the French capital Paris and co-chaired by the Jordanian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius.

Shaikh Khalid affirmed that there are some religious and ethnic minorities which are still suffering from discrimination, marginalization, and sometimes from genocide. He noted that Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq have committed heinous crimes that contradict Islamic principles, values and teachings.

The minister also pointed out that the coexistence and mutual respect is not only in Bahrain but widely spread in the Middle East such as in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Turkey and until recently in Syria and Iraq.
He called for the safe return of the displaced to their homeland, and bringing perpetrators to justice and holding accountable all who have committed crimes against minorities and forced them to escape, be they terrorist organizations or States.

The conference discussed ways of promoting tolerance and diversity in the Middle East, protecting victims of ethnic and religious violence and seeking political solutions capable of observing human rights and safeguarding cultural, ethnic and religious diversity in the Middle East.

I.Y

BNA 1204 GMT 2015/09/08