Bahraini PM receives winners of Sheikh Isa award for voluntary work

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that benevolent peoples, such as the Arab ones, are always ready to do voluntary work whenever need arises, in line with the genuine Islamic values they embrace, as well as their deep-rooted customs and traditions. He added that the volunteering culture is part of the nature of the Arab citizens, in general, and the Bahraini ones, in particular , calling for the need to take advantage of the rapprochement and cooperation among civil society organisations resulting from voluntary work to foster complementarity among Arab countries. He called upon those in charge of voluntary work to spread its civilizational culture, stressing that it is a basic element that has to be instilled in society. HRH Premier voiced the stances as he received today, at the Gudaibiya Palace, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa who introduced to him a number of winners of this year's edition of the Shaikh Isa Award for Voluntary Work from different Arab countries. During the audience, HRH Prime Minister affirmed respect for peoples' aspirations for unity as the best way to preserve their well-being and status, noting that rapprochement among Arab peoples should be consolidated regardless of distances and policies, which, he said, should not be obstacles that impede the achievement of that goal. He explained that voluntary work opens up wider horizons of rapprochement and helps overcome all obstacles, including distances. He pointed out that all initiatives launched under any union should be supported and consolidated, including the Gulf Union launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He emphasised the government's desire to promote awareness on the values of social and voluntary work and its potential positive results on society, praising the on-going cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Union for Voluntary Work to spread the values of such humanitarian work in the country. HRH Prince Khalifa congratulates the laureates of the Shaikh Isa Award for Voluntary Work, who, he said, have dedicated themselves to the service of their nations and promoted the values of giving and benevolence. HRH Premier expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Honorary President of the Good Word Society Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa for his contributions to enriching voluntary work and motivating youths to join it. On his part, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to HRH Premier for his constant support for all voluntary work initiatives aiming to develop societies and consolidate the values of cooperation, fraternity and cohesion among their members. He praised HRH Premier's directives to create a positive environment in which social and voluntary work flourishes and awareness of its principles is promoted. He affirmed that voluntary work in Bahrain has made a quantum leap and has become a means through which individuals contribute effectively to the building march of their nation thanks to the Premier's constant support. Then, Secretary-General of the Arab Union for Voluntary Work Youssef bin Ali Al-Kadhim expressed pride in the existence of an Arab leader, such as HRH Premier, who is interested in voluntary work and is keen to ensure its success. He also valued highly HRH Prime Minister's appreciation of the Arab Union for Voluntary Work and contributions to promoting the culture of voluntary work among Arab societies. He pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a pioneering role model in the field of voluntary work because its wise leadership paved the way for charity work a long time ago and provided it with all requirements of success.