His Majesty King, was speaking after he received at Al-Sakhir Palace 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, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, members of the Ruling Family marking the 13th Anniversary of the National Action Charter (NAC).
HM King Hamad congratulated them on such a national occasion, noting that the National Action Charter represented a qualitative leap in the kingdom’s history, ushered a new phase of national work and comprehensive renaissance and consolidated democracy.
HM the King lauded the Bahraini citizens’ hard work and dedication in assuming their responsibilities at all work and production sites, praising the achievements of Bahraini men and women while holding leadership positions at Arab and regional organisations.
He affirmed that the reform and nation-building process in the kingdom will continue un-abated in order to consolidate the development and democracy march.
Upon arrival at Al-Sakhir Palace, HM the King was greeted by a group of school boys and girls.
Then, HM King Hamad was congratulated by Royal Family members who lauded the landmark achievements attained by the Kingdom during his prosperous era in all fields and the distinguished position enjoyed by it at the regional, Arab and international arenas thanks to HM’s wise leadership and sound policies.
They appreciated highly and voiced pride in the “pioneering” steps taken by HM the King to bolster Bahrain’s relations with brotherly and friendly countries and promote its “honourable” stances at international gatherings.
They prayed Allah Almighty to protect HM the King and guide him on the right path of success in order to be able to bring about more progress and prosperity to the nation.
He pointed out that the kingdom has always spared no effort to achieve the Bahraini citizens’ aspirations and enhance national cohesion, in light of the genuine Arab values of cooperation and love bonding the one-family Bahraini society.
HM the King emphasised that “the National Action Charter will always remain the basis on which we build our reform march in order to reap its fruits and consolidate various democratic and development fields.”
“This national occasion is dear to all of us, as it represents the day on which Bahraini citizens agreed on their national charter which set the guidelines for our project to have well-studies and gradual development, reinforced our national fundamentals and amended the constitution in accordance with modern requirements,” he said.
“It is a day of joy and celebrations and whoever says it is a day of revolution and sabotage does not belong to us, the people of Bahrain, which is a country of co-existence, solidarity, mutual support and unity,” he stressed. We are the people of Bahrain.
HM the King expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who showcased sincere patriotic feelings on such a dear occasion, wishing the kingdom and its people many happy returns.
He recalled the landmark patriotic contributions of the early members of the Ruling family, may Allah Almighty rest their souls in eternal peace.
Then, a poem of the late Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa was read.
After that, a Bahraini Arda show was performed.
Then, HM the King inaugurated the “Electronic Tree” of the Royal Family, and was briefed on it by the Director-General of the Royal Family Council Shaikh Ibrahim bin Khalid Al Khalifa.
After that, HM the King, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince, headed to the National Action Charter Monument where he was welcomed by the Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, senior Education Ministry’s officials, university presidents and members of the administrative and teaching staff of public and private schools and universities.
HM the King attended the “Dar Al-Ezz” operetta performed by students who also sang patriotic songs.
HM King Hamad was briefed about the functions organised by the Education Ministry to mark the NAC anniversary, including the NAC Torch and car carnival, attended by the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
HM the King delivered a statement in which he expressed delight at the students’ participation in the kingdom’s celebrations of the 13th Anniversary of the National Action Charter, approved by 98.4 per cent of the Bahraini people.
He emphasised that the goals of the NAC were to involve the Bahraini citizens in building a modern state and enhancing the kingdom’s progress and prosperity in all fields.
HM the King thanked the Education Minister, the Ministry of Education’s affiliates and students for the genuine patriotic feelings they have expressed during the festivities, stressing that the “National Action Charter will remain a symbol of the Bahraini people’s unity.”
The Education Minister extended, on behalf of the Ministry’s affiliates, sincere thanks and appreciation to HM the King for his kind gesture to attend the students’ celebrations of the anniversary of NAC, which, he said, testifies to the Royal support for younger generations, being the assets of the future.
He expressed sincere thanks to Shaikh Nasser for participating in the event.
He wished Bahrain further progress and prosperity, under its wise leadership.