“Such openness will remain, God willing, the basic characteristic of our people and our institutions, and we will all endeavour to preserve it by ensuring pluralism in all areas of public life. We are confident that the next few days will reflect the true picture of the situation in our country. Only truth will remain,” His Majesty said.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also hailed the report of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) stressing that it has generated popular satisfaction at revealing the truth and pledging the implementation of its recommendations.
In his keynote address at a celebration held at Loyalty Monument in Sakhir on Friday, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, to mark Bahrain’s National Day and Accession Day, HM the king said that any government who has a keen desire for reform and progress must heed the significance of objective and constructive criticism.
His Majesy King Hamad bin Isa along with the His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander also received the guests and attend the reception at the Loyalty Monument.
The following is HM the King’s keynote speech:
“In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Dear brothers and sisters
Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you
As we celebrate today our 40th National Day and our 12th Accession Day, we stress the tenets of our nation that have been consecrated over decades and since our modern renaissance.
It gives us pleasure to reiterate that we welcome the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry that has generated good feelings among our people. We also emphasize our commitment to implementing its recommendations.
We have mentioned before that any government that is genuinely interested in reforms and progress must realize the significance and usefulness of objective and constructive criticism.
We thank our fellow Bahrainis who supported our decision and all the countries that welcomed it.
We wish the National Commission tasked with the recommendations in the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry success in carrying out the assignments it had been given. We direct our government, in this regard, to cooperate with the Commission on implementing the recommendations.
Today, we recall with pride, gratitude and tribute the national consensus on 291 views reached by those who represented the various segments of our Bahraini society. It was an enlightened landmark in the progress of our comprehensive national action that is taking our country towards wider horizons of more reforms and further development.
We have chosen this glorious day, as usual, to honor the loyal citizens who endeavoured to preserve our national unity, stressed their adherence to the principle of legality and respect for the rule of law and deployed outstanding efforts for the sake of Bahrain and its advancement. We salute them on our National Holiday and we express our appreciation to them as the pioneers of patriotic action.
We emphasize that we extend our hand to every Bahraini loyal to this beloved country and acting within the rule of law and order. We also praise the role of the national security forces in maintaining the safety and integrity of the country against all threats and risks.
May God guide us all to the Straight Path.
With our best wishes on this auspicious occasion and well beyond
Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”