Marking the International Day of Democracy, which falls on September 15, the cabinet praised Bahrain’s democratic achievements brought about by the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, describing democratic practice, popular participation and freedom of expression as an asset that needs concerted efforts to be preserved and boosted.
The ministerial council also underlined the government’s relentless efforts to promote democracy through various constitutional institutions and by raising citizens’ awareness of their rights and duties.
The council stressed that dialogue is the best means to protect hard-won democratic achievements and reach a national consensus on all issues.
It also condemned defaming religions and sanctities calling for strict measures to be taken against the offenders. In this context, the cabinet denounced a film show that defames Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) describing it as abominable and provocative of Muslims’ sentiments all over the world.
The council slammed the film as a hindrance to promoting the culture of dialogue between religions, adding that it flouts the principles of religious freedom and respect of different faiths.
The cabinet backed a call to pass an international legislation incriminating defamation of religions, rejecting violence and attacks on embassies as a reaction to the film show.
The council urged more efforts to be made to further improve citizens’ living conditions and adopt initiatives in this regard, citing the Family Bank as an example.
The Deputy Premier lauded the activities of the social entrepreneurship week 2012 he patronized during a ceremony held by the Social Development Ministry today morning.
While reviewing Municipal work, the Deputy Premier stressed the need to focus it on citizens’ welfare, apart from any politicization.
The cabinet urged an evaluation of the municipal work experience and the extent of achieving set up goals. It tasked the Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister to submit the study.
The cabinet discussed Bahrain’s joining of four UNESCO agreements on protecting cultural heritage and decided to refer the proposal to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study.
It also tasked the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs Committee to find alternatives to ensure permanent availability of high-quality red meat in the market by diversifying importation sources and directing the government’s subsidization of livestock towards targeted citizens.
The cabinet tasked the afore-mentioned committee to study a memorandum submitted in this regard by the Industry and Commerce Minister.
The council discussed an executive plan of national strategy for the elderly through a memorandum by the Social Development Minister. It tasked the Ministerial Committee for Social Services, Media, Transportation and Communications Affairs to discuss the scheme and its feasibility in the next budget.
The cabinet also discussed the problem of car parks in neighbourhoods across Bahrain and urged to work out possible solutions in a way to maintain the distinguished civilizational and architectural features of cities and old areas.
The council tasked the Ministerial Committee for Services and Infrastructure to find the appropriate alternatives in coordination with relevant parties.
The cabinet endorsed Bahrain’s hosting of a regional workshop on education leadership in Arab countries slated to be held in Bahrain in November this year.
The cabinet also discussed and approved a number of proposals forwarded by the Representatives Council to solve the problem of overcrowded classes in schools and get rid gradually of makeshift classrooms, as part of a construction scheme set up by the Education Ministry in this respect.
The ministerial council also approved proposals to construct a boys technical secondary school serving Hamad Town and the northern region and renovate Galali Public Park.