Under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain remains steadfast in promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence, values deeply embedded in the nation’s tradition of openness to diverse cultures and religions.
Newsroom (05/06/2025 09:25 , Gaudium Press) This was affirmed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, during a meeting with Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, at Riffa Palace on June 4.
Prince Salman emphasized that these principles have been key to Bahrain’s success as a model of intercultural harmony. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to advance initiatives that reinforce forgiveness and peace, recalling Pope Francis’ historic visit to Bahrain in 2022 as a milestone in interfaith dialogue.
The Crown Prince expressed appreciation for Bishop Berardi’s dedication to fostering compassion and tolerance, extending his best wishes for the bishop’s pastoral mission.
Bishop Berardi, accompanied by Father Saji Thomas, OFM Cap., rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, expressed gratitude for the meeting. He praised Bahrain’s cultural diversity and rich heritage, which continue to nurture an environment of peaceful coexistence.
A Landmark of Religious Tolerance: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, a Roman Catholic cathedral in Awali, stands as a testament to Bahrain’s commitment to religious harmony. Dedicated to Our Lady of Arabia, it serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia and is the largest Catholic church in the Arabian Peninsula. Inaugurated on 9 December 2021 by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the cathedral symbolizes the Kingdom’s dedication to interfaith unity.
In a historic gesture of tolerance, King Hamad donated 9,000 square meters (97,000 sq ft) of land for the cathedral on 11 February 2013. The project gained further significance when, on 19 May 2014, the King met Pope Francis at the Vatican and presented a scale model of the cathedral, reinforcing Bahrain’s pledge to coexistence.
Construction began on 31 May 2014, following the Blessing of the Foundation Stone—a sacred relic taken from the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, gifted as a symbol of unity with the Holy See. Today, the cathedral stands not only as a place of worship but as a beacon of Bahrain’s enduring values of peace, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Agenzia Fides and Wikipedia
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