A multi-faith group of Bahrainis and expatriates will showcase the country’s religious tolerance in France next week.

“This Is Bahrain”, a series of international roadshows that commenced in May last year, is due to be held in Paris from June 13 to June 17, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It will be the fourth such event highlighting Bahrain’s diverse mix of religious communities.

The “This Is Bahrain” Exhibition, Conference and Dialogue taking place next month follows similar events in London, UK; Berlin, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium, over the past 13 months.

There are also plans for the roadshow to visit New York in September, coinciding with the start of the next session of the UN General Assembly.

Visits to other major cities around the world are also being lined up.

“This Is Bahrain” is the brainchild of the Bahrain Federation of Expatriate Associations (BFEA), but is now set to become a separate entity with formalities being completed to register the movement as a society in its own right.

It was set up to highlight religious tolerance in Bahrain and promote understanding between cultures and faiths.

“This is our fourth international event following on from our inaugural event in London in May 2014, Berlin last October and Brussels in January and we are thrilled to be going to Paris, where we are being made most welcome,” said BFEA secretary-general Betsy Mathieson yesterday.

“Our message is one of peace and love and we will be visiting some very famous religious landmarks to offer a multi-faith prayer for peace, with prayers being offered by religious leaders of all faiths from Bahrain and from France.

“We want to share with the world the wonderful safe, peaceful, multicultural lifestyle we all enjoy in Bahrain, which is home to us all.

“To reflect this reality we are very happy to have with us Alliance Francaise, the French School and French Language Association, along with other schools, clubs, societies, churches, mosques and 
temples.”

Mathieson said the group had been travelling the world to promote Bahrain as a haven of religious freedom and peaceful co-existence, but also wanted to highlight modern strides the country has taken.

“Bahrain has for centuries been a home of freedom and peaceful co-existence, but at the same time we have to also show the modern, dynamic, progressive, innovative Bahrain as it is today,” she said.

“Guests are always amazed when they visit the exhibition stands and see the 200-year-old Hindu temple, Jewish synagogue, Sacred Heart Church, Buddhist temple and mosques and realise we have such total religious freedom in Bahrain.

“Also, the fact that Bahrain is a welfare state with free healthcare, education and housing and other vital social services without paying taxes is something they find quite incredible.”

She said the Paris gathering had gained unexpected momentum, with several French businesses contacting organisers for details on how to take part.

“Interestingly, French companies who heard about our event in Paris have contacted us to ask if they can attend and if there are any opportunities for business-to-business meetings with Bahraini companies and businessmen and women, so we are also facilitating this in Paris,” said Mathieson.

“It is clear that the people of France are interested in further developing our excellent business, cultural and friendship ties and we are so excited to be playing our part in this.”

More details about the trip will be revealed during a Press conference at the Domain Hotel, in Manama, tomorrow night. - TradeArabia News Service