ICCEHS Celebrates with KHGC
the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence in Manama
Together Toward a Global
Culture of Coexistence
Manama, 28th of January 2026
The International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech (ICCEHS)—represented by its Executive Board Director, Dr. Nidal Shoukeir—conducted an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain and participated in the celebration of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, following a special invitation from His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance (KHGC).
This international occasion, designated by the United Nations upon the initiative of the Kingdom of Bahrain, represents a landmark global event dedicated to promoting tolerance, diversity, mutual understanding, and peace through education, dialogue, and intercultural engagement.
His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa warmly welcomed the ICCEHS delegation in Bahrain, emphasizing that peaceful coexistence today is no longer an option, but an essential pillar for stability and harmony in an increasingly interconnected world. He stressed the importance of shared commitment to peace and dialogue as a foundation for sustainable societies, stating: “In today’s world, peaceful coexistence is no longer a moral ideal or a symbolic slogan; it is a strategic imperative for the stability of nations and the security of societies. The growing challenges of extremism, intolerance, and polarization demand a collective response grounded in dialogue, education, and mutual respect. The Kingdom of Bahrain firmly believes that diversity, when embraced through understanding and shared values, becomes a source of strength rather than division. Through initiatives such as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, we reaffirm our commitment to building bridges between cultures and religions, promoting responsible discourse, and empowering future generations to choose cooperation over conflict and humanity over hatred.”
From his side, Dr. Nidal Shoukeir praised the Kingdom of Bahrain’s visionary leadership and its proactive diplomatic and cultural efforts in positioning coexistence as a cornerstone of international stability. He emphasized that the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence reflects a shared global responsibility to promote tolerance, foster dialogue, and counter extremism through ethical culture, responsible communication, and inclusive public policies.
Dr. Shoukeir congratulated His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa on the forward-looking vision of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance and its unwavering commitment to promoting coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect at both regional and international levels. He stated: “In a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, ICCEHS places its efforts and expertise at the disposal of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its esteemed institutions, in support of initiatives that advance tolerance, coexistence, and the shared human values that underpin harmonious and cohesive societies.”
His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa warmly welcomed the ICCEHS delegation in Bahrain, emphasizing that peaceful coexistence today is no longer an option, but an essential pillar for stability and harmony in an increasingly interconnected world. He stressed the importance of shared commitment to peace and dialogue as a foundation for sustainable societies, stating: “In today’s world, peaceful coexistence is no longer a moral ideal or a symbolic slogan; it is a strategic imperative for the stability of nations and the security of societies. The growing challenges of extremism, intolerance, and polarization demand a collective response grounded in dialogue, education, and mutual respect. The Kingdom of Bahrain firmly believes that diversity, when embraced through understanding and shared values, becomes a source of strength rather than division. Through initiatives such as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, we reaffirm our commitment to building bridges between cultures and religions, promoting responsible discourse, and empowering future generations to choose cooperation over conflict and humanity over hatred.”
From his side, Dr. Nidal Shoukeir praised the Kingdom of Bahrain’s visionary leadership and its proactive diplomatic and cultural efforts in positioning coexistence as a cornerstone of international stability. He emphasized that the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence reflects a shared global responsibility to promote tolerance, foster dialogue, and counter extremism through ethical culture, responsible communication, and inclusive public policies.
Dr. Shoukeir congratulated His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa on the forward-looking vision of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance and its unwavering commitment to promoting coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect at both regional and international levels. He stated: “In a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, ICCEHS places its efforts and expertise at the disposal of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its esteemed institutions, in support of initiatives that advance tolerance, coexistence, and the shared human values that underpin harmonious and cohesive societies.”
During the visit, Dr. Shoukeir held a series of high-level meetings at the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance, focusing on strengthening international cooperation in countering extremist narratives, combating hate speech, and promoting a global culture of peaceful coexistence. The discussions highlighted Bahrain’s pioneering role in advancing dialogue among civilizations, religions, and cultures, as well as the Centre’s strategic initiatives aimed at embedding tolerance and moderation within educational, institutional, and societal frameworks. Both parties expressed their shared intention to explore future avenues of cooperation through joint initiatives, knowledge exchange, and international platforms dedicated to promoting coexistence and countering hate speech.
In addition, Dr. Shoukeir participated in the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the King Hamad Leadership in Coexistence Program and the second cohort of the Postgraduate Diploma in Coexistence, organized by the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance at the Isa Cultural Centre, in the presence of senior officials and the Centre’s partners from national, regional, and international academic, diplomatic, intellectual, and United Nations institutions.
Dr. Shoukeir also attended the high-level gala dinner held in celebration of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, attended by senior officials, heads of diplomatic missions, parliamentary figures, religious leaders, and representatives of the United Nations.
On this occasion, it was officially announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved a new global milestone, being recorded in the Guinness World Records as the country with the highest density of houses of worship of different religions in proportion to its area, at a rate of 2.577 houses of worship per square kilometer.
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