Bahrain reaffirmed its “categorical rejection” of the “slander” and “insults” reported by the Qatari channel Al Jazeera in connection with the visit of the Pope of Rome to the Vatican in Manama.
This is the second time in a week that Bahrain has criticized the smear campaigns launched against it by Al Jazeera.
The National Communications Center in the Kingdom of Bahrain confirmed in a statement released today, Friday, “its categorical rejection of what was reported in the Qatari Al Jazeera report on the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Kingdom.”
He stressed that “they lack commitment to professional standards and media objectivity.”
He said the channel “broadcast misleading and grossly inaccurate media content on the humanitarian impact of the historic visit, emphasizing respect for the principles of human rights, religious and labor freedoms, and praising the Kingdom of Bahrain’s successful efforts to consolidate the value of coexistence, peace and human brotherhood.
The Center held the Qatari authorities “responsible for the fabrications and misleading statements broadcast by the Qatari channel Al Jazeera, which are inconsistent with the lofty aims of the Gulf Cooperation Council and involve wholly unacceptable abuses.”
warm welcome
Pope Francis arrived in Bahrain on Thursday for a historic visit, his first to the Kingdom of Bahrain, which lasted four days amid a large Bahraini celebration of the visit.
The King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was at the forefront of welcoming the Pope upon arrival at the airport.
The Pope’s procession left the Vatican and headed towards Sakhir Palace, accompanied by a group of cavalrymen, while a group of children scattered roses and folk groups performed to celebrate the arrival of His Holiness the Pope.
Before the King of Bahrain again received the Pope of the Vatican, the official ceremony of receiving the Pope took place at Sakhir Palace, during which the orchestra played the national anthem of the Holy See and the royal world of Bahrain, and the artillery fired twenty-one rounds of welcoming the country’s guest.
papa’s word
The Pope delivered a speech during a reception held at Sakhir Palace.
Al Jazeera claimed that the Pope, in his speech, urged the Bahraini authorities to ensure respect for basic human rights.
The Pope thanked the King of Bahrain for his invitation to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain and praised Bahrain’s efforts to promote coexistence, stating that “this country shines with diversity of races and cultures and peaceful coexistence.”
He expressed his appreciation for the international conferences and meeting opportunities organized and promoted by this Kingdom, especially with the emphasis on respect, tolerance and religious freedom.
And he said that “these are the main topics approved by the country’s constitution, which says that “there should be no discrimination on the basis of sex, origin, language, religion or belief” and that “freedom of conscience is absolute.” and that “the state maintains that worship is unaffected.”
He said: “These obligations must be constantly put into practice, so that freedom of religion is complete and not limited by freedom of religion, so that equal dignity and equal opportunity are recognized for every group and for every person; that there is no discrimination and that fundamental human rights are not violated, but encouraged. I think first of all of the right to life and of the need to always guarantee it, even in the imposition of punishments on some, even those whose lives cannot be taken.”
The King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, praised the humanitarian implications of His Holiness Pope Francis’ speech, which highlighted the principles and practices of respect for human rights, religious and labor freedoms.
He emphasized that the Kingdom of Bahrain, in accordance with its principles, strives to affirm, preserve and respect human rights, apply and develop a framework that guarantees their observance, and raise cultural and intellectual awareness of them.
Second criticism in a few days
This is not the first crisis of its kind between Bahrain and Al Jazeera in recent times, as Manama has consistently voiced his condemnation of the ongoing hostile and incendiary campaign against him by the Qatari channel Al Jazeera.
On October 27, the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain criticized the campaigns of distortion and incitement against the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people through the Qatari channel Al Jazeera, noting that they are carried out systematically and have no media. professionalism and reliability.
She stressed that “it is absolutely untrue that Al Jazeera published on its website that the attacker on a religious site in the city of Shiraz, Iran, is a Bahraini.”
Historic meeting
Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh Al-Azhar al-Sharif, and Pope Francis, Pope of the Vatican, arrived in Bahrain on Thursday for a historic visit that crowns Bahrain’s efforts and leadership in promoting human brotherhood.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh Al-Azhar al-Sharif, and Pope Francis today will participate in several inspiring activities during the visit that promote a culture of tolerance and coexistence and support a culture of dialogue and acceptance with each other.
Most notable of these developments was the conclusion of the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, which was launched yesterday, Thursday, entitled “East and West for Human Coexistence” under the patronage of the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. , as part of a new initiative by the Kingdom of Bahrain aimed at achieving rapprochement between East and West and promoting the coexistence of religions and cultures, rejecting division, intolerance and hatred.
The two great religious figures will also take part in a direct Islamic-Christian dialogue between members of the Muslim Council of Elders and the highest clergy of the Catholic Church, which will take place during the sixteenth meeting of the Muslim Council of Elders, hosted by Bahrain. on Friday, and religious leaders and leaders will discuss the challenges of the times and the crises facing humanity.
The meeting, which brings together two great religious symbols, is the second meeting between them in the Gulf country after their historic meeting in the UAE in February 2019, during which, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed, the “Document of Human Fraternity” was signed. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
