Manama, Jan. 29 (BNA): Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance, affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain has further strengthened its position as an oasis of religious freedoms by ranking first globally as the country with the highest density of houses of worship, according to the Guinness World Records. This achievement reflects Bahrain’s steadfast commitment to respecting religious and cultural diversity under the gracious patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This was stated during a high-level gala dinner hosted by the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance at the Sheraton Hotel, attended by a number of senior officials, heads of diplomatic missions, parliamentary figures, religious leaders, and representatives of the United Nations. The event was held in celebration of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 4 March 2025, following an initiative submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain through the Centre, with the support of 162 countries.

In his address, the Minister and Chairman of the Board of Trustees expressed his pride in the celebration of this international occasion coinciding with the "Year of Isa Al Kabeer", a national milestone embodying noble values and civilisational significance. He noted that this convergence underscores the Kingdom’s historic standing as a pioneering model of coexistence and religious and cultural tolerance, under the wise leadership of His Majesty the King, and inspired by the wisdom of His Highness Isa Al Kabeer, Ruler of Bahrain and its dependencies, founder of the modern state and leader of institutional renaissance. This reflects the integration of a deeply rooted leadership legacy with a humane and forward-looking vision.

The Minister revealed that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved a new global milestone by being officially recorded in the Guinness World Records as the country with the highest density of houses of worship of different religions in proportion to its area, at a rate of 2.577 houses of worship per square kilometre. This achievement embodies the reality of religious tolerance and coexistence that distinguishes the Kingdom as a unique model in respecting religious freedoms and supporting the observance of rituals and spiritual occasions of various religions, sects, and beliefs, within a framework of national unity and social cohesion.

The ceremony was attended by an official and accredited adjudicator from Guinness World Records, who announced the record and presented the official certificate following verification that the Kingdom of Bahrain had met all internationally approved criteria and requirements.

A.S, Z.I