Bahrain's Ambassador to the United States Emphasizes Religious Freedom in Speech to Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bahrain's Ambassador to the United States, Houda Nonoo, highlighted the Kingdom's superlative record in preserving religious freedom in a speech to members of the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church on Thursday evening.

"Bahrain is a free and open society. Women are fully empowered members of society. Although Bahrain is a Muslim country, religious minorities – including Christians, Jews, Hindus and Baha'i – enjoy full freedom of worship," Ambassador Nonoo said. "Today, next to mosques, Bahrain is home to 19 registered Churches, a synagogue, Hindu temples and many other places of worship."

Welcoming members of the Congregation led by Rev. Fuad Khouri to Bahrain's Embassy, the Ambassador also reflected on the past year's events and reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to ongoing reform.

"Bahrain's government is committed to reform, and to implementing progressive policies that will help achieve reconciliation for all Bahrainis," she said. "We are committed to that journey because the future of Bahrain and its people relies on a meaningful unification strategy. This journey has begun."

Reflecting on the evening in a post on her blog, Ambassador Nonoo stated: "Events like these are a wonderful opportunity to share Bahrain's unique story as a progressive outpost in the Middle East and I look forward to sharing Bahrain's longstanding tradition of religious freedom with our American friends."

SOURCE Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain