In his speech marking the final days of the Holy Islamic Month of Ramadan, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain said on Sunday that he was pardoning all those who abused him and other senior Bahraini officials during unrest earlier this year.
Following questions raised by the international media concerning King Hamad’s address, the IAA would like to note that the King’s pardon includes the Bahraini poetess, Ayat Al-Qurmezi.
In his address, broadcast on Bahrain Television, and relayed on other television and radio stations, King Hamad extended the hand of reconciliation. During his speech he stressed Our aspiration is for tolerance and for shunning violence, and not for excessive punishment that affects our unity, cohesion and national co-existence.