FOWPAL delegation welcomed in Arab world, spreading message of love and peace
Invited by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister's Court, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), led FOWPAL members to visit Bahrain on May 30-June 1, 2017 for cultural exchanges. Cabinet Affairs Minister of Bahrain, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Mutawa, received the group in Manama on May 31 in the presence of Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister's Court.
Since its inception in 2000 in California, FOWPAL has visited 72 countries, promoting love, peace, and human rights through activities such as conducting cultural exchanges, hosting ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, and holding World Summits of Love and Peace, in which world leaders congregate and discuss ways to benefit the world. To date, 288 bell ringers, including 36 heads of state and government and 8 Nobel laureates, have rung the Bell and made commitments to love and peace.
The minister welcomed the FOWPAL delegation and stated that FOWPAL and the kingdom share the same goal: to promote regional and global security and stability. “The Kingdom of Bahrain adopts a policy that believes in the importance of peace and mutual understanding among nations and peoples, and backs every international effort seeking to direct human potentials toward development and progress,” Al Mutawa said.
On the trip, the delegation had the opportunity to experience the cultural heritages and diversities of religions of Bahrain, meet with President of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister's Court, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, as well as leaders of different religions to exchange ideas about promotion of world peace and culture. The government of Bahrain has been striving for harmony and coexistence of the different religious groups in Bahrain. During the Ramadan, the religious leaders invited the delegation to join an Iftar, where the delegation experienced incredible generosity, friendliness, and kindness of Bahrainis. Meanwhile, the event also demonstrated the stability and harmony among the religious communities in Bahrain.
Furthermore, the delegation experienced the prosperity of Bahrain, while witnessing numerous construction projects in deserts. Bahrain is known for its massive and challenging land reclamation with materials imported mainly from Saudi Arabia. The endeavors of Bahrain for creating a prosperous society are thus manifested all over the country.
Dr. Hong expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain and its taking the lead to adopt policies that support every initiative aimed at disseminating peace and love among nations and peoples. He lauded His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s stances and initiatives in support of global peace, which earned the Prime Minister many well-deserved international awards. The UN MDG awards were conferred in 2010 in recognition of his pioneering role in furthering the global goals of sustainable development. The African Union shield was awarded for his outstanding development role in promoting regional and international peace and security in 2012. His Highness won the UNESCO Avicenna Medal for efforts and achievements in promoting education, in particular ICTs in education, and culture in Bahrain, and in the Arab regional and beyond in 2009.
Dr. Hong pointed out that Bahrain boasts a tolerant society that is distinguished by its openness, coexistence, and cultural diversity. During the meeting, Dr. Hong presented the World Peace Culture Award to H.R.H. Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in recognition of his dedication to promoting an international culture of peace, to spreading love and peace, and to improving the wellbeing of all humanity. He is looking forward to greater cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Federation of World Peace and Love to consolidate peace efforts across the world. The exchange of ideas between the leaders is highly inspirational and encouraging and has paved the way for more joint efforts of love and peace among NGOs and governments.