The first session was attended by the representatives of political societies, independents from the legislative authority and the Government.
Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Leadership to all participants of the Dialogue; sincere wishes were offered for the successful outcome of the Dialogue in the best interests of the Country.
The first session, held at Al Areen Resort in Sukhair, was positive and optimistic and highlighted the mutual trust built between all the participants. The Dialogue’s agenda and mechanisms were deliberated and general agreement reached on the principle of consensus.
During the session, all participants agreed that future sessions should be held twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, in order for all topics of the Dialogue to be considered with the aim of achieving the best possible results.
All participants of the National Dialogue reacted positively to their own involvement in this second round of talks, whilst demonstrating a strong desire to discuss topics with the important aim of reaching consensus on the general concepts of the Dialogue, its agenda and mechanisms.
The participants affirmed their sincere intentions to achieve positive results in the best interests of the nation to reinforce the aspirations of all citizens for a better future. The Government, the coalition of societies, the six societies and independents from the Legislative Authority all gave recognition to the participation of all members of the Dialogue, demonstrating the seriousness of the talks and reaffirming the trust built between all participants.
The participants stressed the importance of setting up a clear agenda and mechanisms to cover topics from all participants, to achieve agreement between all participants with the aim of positive results.
The Government side includes Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs; Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Noaimi, Minister of Education and Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf, Minister of Works. The members of the parliament MP Ahmed Al Saati; MP Latifa Al Gaoud; MP AbdulHakeem Al Shimiri; MP Sawsan Taqawi; Shura Member Khalid Al Masqati; Shura Member Dalal Al Zayed; Shura Member Jameela Salman and Shura Member AbdulAziz Abul.
Ten societies coalition represented by Ahmad Juma, National Action Charter Society; AbdulRahman Al Baker, National Constitutional Gathering Society; Ahmad Al BinAli, Al Wasat Al Arabi Islamic Society; Khalid Al Qattan, Al-Menbar National Islamic Society; Abdulla Al Huwaihi, Gathering of National Unity; Adnan Bader, Al Asalah Islamic Society; AbdulSalam, Islamic Shura Society and six societies including Dr. Muneera Fakhro, National Democratic Action Society; Abdulla Janahi, National Democratic Action Society; Hafedh Ali, National Democratic Action Society; Sayed Jameel Khadim, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society; Abdulnabi Salman, Democratic Progressive Tribune; Hameed Almula , Democratic Progressive Tribune; Hassan Al Aali, National Democratic Assembly and Mousa Al Ansari, Al Ekhaa Society. The facilitators during the first session were Khalid Ajaji and Dr. Abdulla Taleb.