Kingdom of Bahrain
You were honored by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to become the Bahrain Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2011. Can you tell us about your experiences in being an ambassador in Saudi Arabia?
The official work is important but social life is also very important. Establishing a personal connection is not only essential in work, but in life. In my first couple years as Ambassador, I traveled to the provinces to meet with the governors and institution heads and witness the countries developments firsthand. I was honored by the warm welcomes and dinners, and cherish those times when I was able to personally connect with officials from around the country. I really felt proud of all the hard work we observed.
As ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, what are the most outstanding situations you have faced during your diplomatic career?
There are many significant occasions I have witnessed while working with both official and non-official bodies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Working with the great people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, given their experience and competencies, has been a rewarding experience. We have worked together to consolidate our bilateral relations that are far embedded in history and inherited from one generation to another. I have had the honor to participate and attend the summit meetings between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh and Jeddah several times during this year. I was also present at the visits of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister in addition to visits of their Highnesses and Excellencies Ministers and senior officials. These visits have strengthened and developed bilateral relations and doubled our ability to serve the two brotherly countries and peoples. I will talk about a situation that I can never forget. It happened during a meeting between His Highnesses and Excellencies Foreign Ministers of the GCC at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh. The meeting coincided with the submission of a report to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry which His Majesty ordered to form under the chairmanship of the late International Judge Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni to investigate into the events of 2011. At that time His Highness Prince Saud Al Faisal, who was chairing the meeting, addressed the audience, congratulating Bahrain and its King. He said “we thank God that Bahrain, under the leadership of HM King Hamad and thanks to his wisdom, has managed to thwart the conspiracy, defeat the forces of evil, and extinguish this fire of sedition which targets all of us at this table.” We never forget such memorable stances of our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
His Majesty Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman receives the ambassador of Bahrain.
What is the most rewarding part of being an ambassador to Saudi Arabia?
The nature of the relations between our two countries, our harmonious stances and policies, and common destiny, make the work with our Saudi brothers easy and productive. Working with such elite politicians, heads of state and prominent diplomats in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a great honor. I still recall their memorable stances as it is not strange for Saudi Arabia to dedicate its efforts to serve the nation, preserve its security and stability, and ensure prosperity for its people.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is celebrating its National Day on December 16, what is your message on this occasion?
The National Day is a dear occasion to all Bahrainis. I take honor on this happy occasion to extend my sincere congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and to His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa the prime minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince’ deputy supreme commander and the first deputy premier and also to all the people of Bahrain. How do you find working in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter? I can recall the meticulous planning and building of the Diplomatic Quarter, with the aim of providing both Saudi and diplomat families services and security in one place. The friendship and relationships we have cultivated here in the DQ are cherished. Not only do we work together, but we speak together and invite each other on various occasions. Our wives also meet and support each other. We are all thankful and proud of the DQ; a city within a city.
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Alradaef St., Diplomatic Quarters
PO Box 94371 Riyadh 11693,
Saudi Arabia
Contact Nos.: +966-11-4880044
Website: http://www.mofa.gov.bh/riyadh
