Manama: King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa stressed Bahrain’s commitment to national principles based on unity, depth of belonging, tolerance and coexistence as he congratulated Bahrainis on the kingdom’s 46th National Day.
“We would like to congratulate everyone on this glorious National Day, and celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the Bahraini state more than 200 years ago, at the hands of our founding father Ahmad Al Fateh,” King Hamad said in his address to the nation. “Its authentic identity was forged on the strength of its honourable leaders, to preserve, to this day, its glory, civilisational approach and civic values, with the help of loyal citizens.”
Bahrain’s national principles protect it from the forces of destruction and division and stimulate its forward-looking progress towards new horizons of development, he added.
“To cherish the country’s status and celebrate its achievements, we must thank God for His generosity, and commend ourselves on the country’s comprehensive and balanced renaissance, with ‘Centennial Achievement’ as its theme, and ‘Loyalty and Excellence’ of its sons and daughters as its pillar,” King Hamad said at a special ceremony to honour some of the country’s distinguished citizens.
“Today, Bahrain is at the forefront of the global development race according to performance indicators in all fields of work. This is an incentive which makes us, with God’s help, advance with the same strength and determination to continue the auspicious journey of our development.”
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, on a visit to Bahrain, was a guest at the ceremony.
“This national anniversary comes to renew with you the pledge of loyalty to the sacrifices of the martyrs of the homeland who came to its aid and sacrificed their lives to defend its sovereignty. We call on God Almighty to bestow upon them His mercy and make their abode in heaven, and for us to be guided by their path in defending our homeland and protecting its interests,” he said.
“We would also like to pay homage to every citizen, whatever his or her position in the fields of honour, whether on the defence fronts or on the productivity and development fronts.”
