Manama: Bahrain is to set up a new college of Islamic studies that will be named after Shaikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, a former minister of justice who passed away on June 5.
The college, dedicated to teaching the sciences of the Quran, Islamic laws and jurisprudence and comparative jurisprudence, will be in recognition of the outstanding achievements of the deceased, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa said as he received on Wednesday evening the sons and grandsons of the deceased.
The king paid rich tribute to Shaikh Abdullah, citing his “numerous contributions and remarkable initiatives in the service of Islam and Bahrain” as well as his “great wisdom and special stature.”
Shaikh Abdullah’s role in enriching Bahrain’s judiciary, developing various religious sectors, promoting the genuine values of Islam, and spreading religious teachings as well as his contributions in humanitarian, charitable, cultural and historical fields will always be recalled with deep respect, King Hamad said.
Shaikh Abdullah, 96, was the president of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society and High Haj Committee and the honourary president of Bahrain Charity Society.
He helped establish Bahrain’s first public library in 1954, the Historical Documentation Centre in 1978 and the Isa Cultural Centre in 2008.
He has authored several books about Bahrain’s modern history and oversaw the drafting of several milestone documents, including the National Action Charter and the Constitution of Bahrain.
His death was deeply mourned in Bahrain and in Gulf countries that sent delegations to present their condolences to King Hamad and to his family.
