Bahrain’s Embassy in Washington hosted a reception to mark the launch of the first King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance and the opening of nominations to individuals and institutions worldwide.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of Bahrain to the United States, highlighted the award’s reflection of Bahrain’s longstanding values of openness and coexistence and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision of advancing global peace through intercultural and interfaith dialogue.
The Ambassador said the initiative is particularly relevant amid global developments affecting the security of people and communities, describing the award as a model for building bridges of understanding and dialogue. He also praised the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance for promoting these values worldwide.
Dr. Al Sadiq Khalafallah, a member of the Centre’s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers and a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, also delivered a speech at the reception, stressing the importance of initiatives that advance tolerance and coexistence globally.