Manama, The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) held its 18th regular meeting in its fifth session, chaired by Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, President of SCIA.
During the meeting, the council congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the royal family, the people of Bahrain, and the entire Islamic nation on the new Hijri Year 1446.
The council commended the directives and visions outlined by HM King Hamad during this week’s Cabinet session to promote national action across various domains.
Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed emphasised HM the King’s efforts to preserve Bahraini values rooted in Arab and Islamic traditions, respect for all religions and pride in its heritage and noble values.
He commended HM King’s directives to develop an action plan aimed at preserving the historical and cultural identity of Bahrain’s buildings and cities, while addressing infrastructure r
equirements essential for historical areas.
The council commended HM the King’s commitment to strengthening Arab unity, promoting peace and good relations among neighbouring countries, rejecting discrimination, and refraining from aggressive policies and proxy wars, as well as efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
The council praised HM King Hamad’s support of religious occassions, including Ashoora, within HM the King’s commitment to upholding public rights and freedoms, particularly religious rituals and events. They also commended the government’s efforts, headed by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in cooperation with relevant entities to ensure the success of the annual commemoration of Ashoora. The council emphasised that these freedoms embody Bahrain’s fundamental principles of religious tolerance and coexistence. Participants also commended the collaboration and efforts of all involved parties, including official and civil entities in this regard.
Additionally, the
council congratulated Bahrain’s pilgrims for completing Hajj. They commended the Kingdom’s efforts, under the leadership of HM the King, in managing the affairs of pilgrims, ensuring their well-being and providing comprehensive services, facilities, \and support. The council also commended the efforts of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, the Bahrain Pilgrimage Mission, and all licensed Bahraini Hajj tour operators.
The council hailed the successf of the Hajj season for the year 1445 AH, underscoring the efforts of Saudi Arabia, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
The council condemned the ongoing aggressive actions and violations by Israel against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and across the occupied Palestinian territories. This includes ongoing illegal settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, which led to the tragic
loss of life and displacement of thousands of innocent civilians, mainly children and women. The council emphasised that these actions are flagrant violations that contravene all religious, moral, humanitarian, legal, and international norms, principles, and treaties.
The council urged the international community to take a firm stance for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. It called for implementing international resolutions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensure the delivery of humanitarian and relief assistance in a comprehensive, secure, sustainable, and unhindered manner. The council underscored the importance of granting the Palestinian people their rightful entitlement to establish an independent state.
Furthermore, the council discussed the topics on the agenda, including the preparations for the Islamic Dialogue Conference to be held under the patronage of HM King Hamad. This conference is held following the call from His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam Sheikh of A
l Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, at the ‘Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence’, which was hosted in the Kingdom in November 2022.
The council reviewed the results of the joint meeting held by His Eminence Dr. Al Tayeb, and the delegation of the Muslim Council of Elders, in preparation for Bahrain’s hosting of the Islamic Dialogue Conference in early 2025. The conference will bring together participants including prominent Islamic scholars and institutional experts from around the world.
The council also discussed a memorandum from the general secretariat concerning the issuance of the Bahraini Hijri calendar for the year 1446 AH in various formats (wall, notebook, and desk versions of both types), under the directives of HM the King. The council expressed their appreciation for HM the King for supporting and approving the calendar’s annual printing. They praised the efforts of the Supreme Committee for the Bahraini Calendar, led by Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed,
the technical committees, and the General Secretariat of the Council for their efforts in preparing, printing, and distributing the calendar.
The council reviewed the report from the Sharia Opinion Committee concerning a draft law forwarded to the council by the government. Additionally, the council approved the recommendations outlined in the committee’s report.
The council discussed the report of the mosque construction committee, which highlights the progress in implementing the council’s plan for mosque reconstruction. The report documented the latest developments in six mosque projects supported by the council, as well as five additional projects supported by donors under the council’s supervisions.
The council was informed on the decision of the Board of Directors of the Holy Quran Recitation and Teachers Preparation Institute to grant accreditation to students who have fulfilled the graduation criteria, according to the academic plan in the Holy Qur’an Teacher Diploma Programme.
Source: Bahrain Ne
ws Agency
