Bahraini minister's meeting with social figures stems from partnership

In response to reports in local newspapers on an open meeting by the Interior Minister, Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa with a number of social personalities on December 23, the Assistant Undersecretary of Legal Affairs at the Interior Ministry. as one of the attendees, along with Chief of Public Security and Police Media Directorate, said that the meeting was out of the reinforcement of community partnership of the Interior Ministry by interacting with all segments in society and NGOs.
He said that the Interior Minister as usual was clear and honest while taking into consideration the regional security challenges after 2011 and the incidents in Iraq and Syria by Daesh. "The Minister feels that the matter needs awareness as the threats are coming closer to us," he said.
The Assistant Undersecretary said that the gathering was a security meeting and did not tackle politics and that it aimed to reinforce moderation against extremism. He said that the list of the attendees did not include only members of political societies, but also religious scholars, businessmen, human rights activists, doctors and university professors who are known for their moderation.
He highlighted that the meeting urged everyone to assume their responsibility and that the Interior Minister asserted that facing the threat should be by uniting efforts in fighting extremism. The Minister also highlighted that in Bahrain the condemnation should be by all and not only NGOs because the matter is approaching sectarianism. He acknowledged the high participation in the municipal and parliament elections in November that represented moderation and national spirit should be encouraged.
The Minister gave a message of hope of the success of the democracy experience after the last elections, highlighting that the new Council of Representatives reflects the public ambitions. Stressing that extremism is the main issue and eliminating it is the right beginning to fight terrorism, the Minister asserted the significance to protect youth from extremism incitement and the role of society to confront extremism regardless of its origin.
He warned of many matters unrelated to religious occasions, including incitement of children and youth and said that the Interior Ministry will cooperate with concerted bodies of the consolation programme. The Minister concluded the meeting by hailing the role of the participants and calling for cooperation to fight extremism. The Assistant Undersecretary said that the open meeting was part of an initiative that should be built on.