Addressing the Nation, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday said that Bahrain would remain a country of law and institutions and freedoms and tolerance between various religions and cultures.
“We recall on these auspicious occasions the majestic legacy of our fathers and grandfathers. They built a safe and peaceful country based on love, tolerance and moderation,” HM in his speech during the National Day ceremony held at the University of Bahrain said.
“Our glorious National Day is a celebration of all the political, constitutional and economic revitalizations and development in our country from the date Bahrain was founded as an independent state in the era of our grandfather Ahmed Al Fatih – God’s mercy be upon him – in 1783, more than two centuries ago, as a Muslim and Arab state, up to our present time,” HM said.
HM King patronised the ceremony in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, the ceremony marking the celebrations of the glorious National day and the 13th Anniversary of HM’s Accession to the Throne, held at the University of Bahrain (UoB).
Upon arrival of the Royal Convoy, accompanied by the Police Cavalry, HM the King was welcomed by the Education Minister Dr. Majed bin Ali Al Nuaimi and UoB President Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi.
At start, the national anthem was played, HM King Hamad inspected the Guard of Honour and some Holy Quran verses were recited.
HM the King delivered the following keynote address to the Nation:
“In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
“Praise be to God and prayers and peace be upon His prophet, his family, companions and followers
“Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you
“We celebrate today the glorious National Day of the beloved Kingdom of Bahrain – 41 years have now passed since we obtained our full membership to the United Nations – as well as the thirteenth anniversary of our accession to the throne.
“As usual, we chose this glorious day to honor the loyal citizens who devoted their lives to education. We have attended this ceremony to honor them at this university, where Bahrain achieved an outstanding status thanks to its leadership in education and has made great strides in the basic education for all and in providing the best educational services for all members of society.
“We thank and appreciate the great spirit of patriotism that distinguishes those who volunteered in this honorable profession. Their role in volunteer patriotic education will always be recognized and their stance has been recorded in the honors of the noble teaching profession. We also honor today the other citizens who have been loyal and devoted to their homeland.
“On this occasion, we announce the establishment of a fund in the name of the our father, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa – may God rest his soul in eternal peace – to care for needy students in undergraduate and graduate studies in order to ensure their future with education and knowledge.
“This is the first fund in the Kingdom of Bahrain to serve all citizens without distinguishing between religions, sects or cultures. Elite of eminent men and women with sound experience in philanthropy and endowments will oversee the fund, develop its resources and guide it to serve students,” HM said.
“In conclusion and on the great occasion of the National Day, we call on everyone to move forward, to be diligent for the sake of further accomplishments and to continue the nation-building process in various fields in order to achieve the well-being of our citizens.
“We are pleased to see communication between the institutions of the civil society for the benefit of all. The continuity of communication and the discussion of different visions with transparency and with keenness on a national consensus without any external interference has always been a pure Bahraini feature.
“We commend our armed forces and the security and the National Guard forces that are always ready to provide the appropriate climate for development and progress through achieving security and stability and meeting all challenges for the sake of all people’s welfare and benefit.
“We pray to Allah to help all of us succeed in serving our religion and our nation, to reconcile our hearts, and to protect our beloved kingdom.
“He listens and He responds to prayers.
“Congratulations to all of you, and many happy returns. Peace and God’s mercy and blessings are upon you.”
Then, HM the King presented the honorees with awards.
After that, UoB President Dr. Ibrahim Janahi delivered a statement on behalf of the honorees in which he extended heartfelt congratulations to HM the King on the 41st National Day and 13th Anniversary of HM’s Accession to the Throne, wishing Bahrain and its people further progress, prosperity and security and his wise leadership.
He also said that the UoB, a milestone monument of knowledge for Bahraini youths, has always been honoured by HM the King’s constant care and unwavering support.
Janahi affirmed that love of the nation has been promoted by the Al-Khalifa Rulers as a top national goal; not just a slogan, adding that love, national unity, respect of diversity, adherence to common grounds bringing citizens of Bahrain together and denunciation of division have been underlying features of HM the King’s glorious era.
He also pledged that Bahrain will remain a kingdom of fraternal love, prosperity and rejection of intolerance and fragmentation in order to consolidate its position as a beacon and pearl of the Arabian Gulf, a gate of Arab unity and a model of freedom, pluralism and decent life.
UoB President asserted that the honourees are proud of HM the King’s kind gesture to honour them on such dear national occasions, pledging that they will exert extra efforts in the service of the homeland, under the wise leadership of HM King Hamad.
Janahi hailed HM the King’s order to establish the “King Hamad Oasis for Science and Technology” which will boost scientific research and develop academic programmes, in association with eminent research centres, renowned universities and prestigious world experience houses, which, he said, will consolidate the kingdom’s position as a beacon of science, knowledge, civilization and dedication.
He also extended, in the name of all citizens and affiliates of the educational sector, sincere thanks, appreciation and gratitude to HM the King for establishing the “Isa bin Salman Fund” to support needy students, including those with special needs, in order to enable them to pursue their education.
He also reiterated the allegiance and loyalty of UoB’s students, employees and administrative staff to HM the King so as to enhance the kingdom’s position as a hub of freedom, development and milestone achievements.
At the end of the celebration, the National Anthem was played and then HM King Hamad was greeted by HRH Premier and HRH Crown Prince who extended to him sincere congratulations on such happy national occasions, wishing him continuous good health and happiness and Bahrain and its people further progress and prosperity under his wise leadership.
The ceremony was attended by senior Ruling Family members, Speaker of the Representatives Council, Shura Council Chairman, members of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Supreme Judicial Council, ministers, scholars, judges, MPs, heads of diplomatic missions, businessmen, governors, undersecretaries, heads of churches, members of municipal councils and political associations, editors-in-chief of local newspapers, representatives of news agencies, reporters, chairpersons of governorates’ councils, dignitaries and senior officers of the Bahrain Defence Force, Interior Ministry and National Guard.
The honoree list included Salman bin Isa bin Hindi; Major-General Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa; Major-General Youssef Abdulla Bahzad; Major-General Tareq Hassan Al-Hassan; Brigadier-General Jaber Abdulla Huwail Al-Mirri; Brigadier-General Ali Saqr Al-Nuaimi; Brigadier Riyadh Eid Abdulla; Brigadier-General Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Mubarak Al Khalifa; Lt. Colonel Engineer Khalid Youssef Abdulla Al-Rumaithi; Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed janahi; Engineer Ahmed Abduaziz Al-Khayat; Aref Saleh Khamees; Dr. Ayesha Mubarak Buong; Shaikh Nawaf bin Ibrahim bin Hamad Al Khalifa; Eng. Abdulaziz Abdulrazzaq Nasser Al-Alawi; Eng. Shawqi Abdulla Mohammed Jafn; Said Mohammed Al-Faihani; Badriya Youssef Al-Jeeb; Safiya Kanoo; Dr. Waheeb Isa Al-Nasser; Dr. Alawi Hashed Al-Hashimi; Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdulla; Dr. Ibrahim Abdulla Ghalum; Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Al-Balushi; Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Osairi; Professor Malika Suleiman Saleh; Dr. Mohammed Hassan bin Shams; Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Ansari; Eng. Assim Abdullatif Abdulla; Eng. Abbas Ali Ahmed Al-Watani; Adel Hajj Ibrahim; Dr. Zakariya Ahmed Al-Khaja; Adel Khaleel Ibrahim Al-Moayyad; Adnan Noureddine Bsisu; Hassan Ibrahim Hassan Kamel; Mahmoud Hashem Al-Koheji; Ghazi Abdulla Nass; Dr. Mohammed Amine Youssef Al-Awadhi; Fatima Abdulwahed Mohammed Al-Ahmed; Dr. Reem Ahmed Al-Faez; Dr. Maryam Ibrahim Al-Mulla; Kareema Dhaher Zaidani; Abdussalem Mohammed Ibrahim and Ahmed Hassan Abdulla Saleh.