Bahraini king honoured for ‘respecting religious pluralism’

Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa has received the C3 Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in New York.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa received the award on behalf of King Hamad from Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

The Bahraini monarch received the award “in recognition of his continued achievements and incessant efforts in all fields, notably in development, respect for religious pluralism in Bahrain and his interest in bolstering Bahrain-US ties at all levels, making of them an exemplary model of relations among nations, based on strong and clear foundations.”

Upon receiving the award, Sheikh Khalid stated that King Hamad’s approach was based “on providing all conditions to elevate the status of Bahraini citizens and meliorate their living standards through comprehensive economic development and first class social services.”

The White House has recently approved the sale of fighter jets to Bahrain, reaffirming the close relationship between the two countries.

Over the past five years Bahrain has witnessed anti-government protests which have been violently quashed. Authorities have implemented what has been described as a “heightened crackdown” on mainly Shia opposition groups in the country. This has seen activists stripped of their nationality, arrested and jailed. Restrictions have also been imposed on the practice of religious rites, peaceful assemblies and internet access.