The lofty speech of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great monarch of the country, may God protect and preserve him, came at the opening of the fourth session of the sixth legislative term, to embody an integrated royal vision based on the constants of the Bahraini state, which made the human being the basis for construction and the goal of all legislation, policy and achievement.
His Majesty opened his speech with high praise for the performance of the legislative authority, stressing that its legislative and oversight work is the fruit of a solid experience whose roots extend back to the era of the Founding Fathers, who established the principles of governance on the foundations of noble Islamic law, consultation, justice and charity, sacrifice for the sake of the nation, and the preservation of authentic values and customs. It is a profound indication that the path of the modern Bahraini state emerges from an authentic legacy and inherited principles that preserved its sovereignty and consolidated its constitutional institutions.
In this context, His Majesty stressed that close cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities, under the supervision of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, constitutes a pillar of national action, and the qualitative legislative achievements it results in meet the aspirations of the nation and the citizen.
Among these achievements, the expected amendments to the law regulating the press, printing and publishing stand out, which His Majesty described as a step that confirms the constitutional value of freedom of opinion and expression, and consolidates the high status of the national media in its various means.
This royal affirmation carried a sublime significance that freedom of opinion and expression is not a privilege granted, but rather a pillar of human dignity, an inherent right guaranteed by the Constitution, and a lever for building a mature national awareness that contributes to the development process and preserves the nation’s gains.
From the same humanitarian vision, His Majesty referred with pride to the national initiative announced by His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to expand employment horizons for the sons and daughters of Bahrain, praising the support of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the private sector, stressing that national participation in the labor market represents a shared duty and responsibility to consolidate the dignity of the citizen and enhance his role in building the national economy.
Because people are the focus and goal of development, His Majesty has placed national identity at the top of the priorities for the next stage, as the fence that preserves the unity and cohesion of Bahraini society, consolidates the values of tolerance, belonging, and moderation, and rejects all manifestations of fanaticism or foreign loyalties. Then His Majesty directed to expand the paths of scientific, technical and economic development, invest in artificial intelligence and renewable energy, and explore the horizons of space, in a way that enhances the independence of the national economy, ensures the sustainability of its resources, and keeps pace with the transformations of the times with established Bahraini capabilities.
His Majesty also praised the honorable scientific achievements made by young national competencies, most notably the successful launch of the Bahraini satellite, under the patronage and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, considering this achievement a symbol of the state’s approach to empowering its youth and qualifying them to lead the future with confidence and ability.
In the external dimension, the Royal Highness’s speech carried a firm stance in support of just and comprehensive peace, and an emphasis that the Palestinian issue will remain at the top of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s priorities during its membership in the Security Council, based on its principled commitment to achieving regional security and stability, and championing the legitimate rights of peoples. It is a sublime humanitarian message that confirms that Bahrain is based in its policy on the values of justice, and believes that true peace is the peace of human dignity.
His Majesty concluded his speech in a way that expresses the essence of his thought and vision when he said: “We thank God for his abundant blessings, the first of which is the Bahraini human being, whom we consider to be the true wealth of our country and its civilized face that shines with giving wherever he appears.”
With this comprehensive statement, His Majesty laid the foundation around which all national policies revolve: that the Bahraini human being is the first pillar and the highest goal, and is the essence of the reform project that His Majesty launched more than two decades ago, so that the title of the stage remains the human being, the goal of development is his dignity, and the state’s path is to preserve his identity, unity, and future.
The royal speech was not a protocol speech, but rather a renewed vision document confirming that Bahrain, under its wise leadership, is proceeding confidently on a journey whose title is the Bahraini human being, and whose goal is the elevation and prosperity of the nation.
Abdullah Elhamy
