"We celebrate that religion has been amongst the greatest forces of good in our world, and has principally inspired people to share that same good with their fellow man," states The Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration, issued in 2017.
Reflecting that same spirit of respectful dialogue, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, met on November 20, 2025, with His Excellency Mr. Ali Abdulla Al Aradi, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance.
- Elder-David-A.-Bednar-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-meets-with-His-Excellency-Mr.-Ali-Abdulla-Al-Aradi,-Deputy-Chairman-of-the-Board-of-Trustees-of-the-King-Hamad-Global-Center-for-Coexistence-and-Tolerance,-in-Manama,-Bahrain,-on-November-20,-2025
- A-delegation-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-meets-with-representatives-of-the-King-Hamad-Global-Center-for-Coexistence-and-Tolerance-in-Manama,-Bahrain,-on-November-20,-2025
- His-Excellency-Mr.-Ali-Abdulla-Al-Aradi,-Deputy-Chairman-of-the-Board-of-Trustees-of-the-King-Hamad-Global-Center-for-Coexistence-and-Tolerance,-presents-Elder-David-A.-Bednar-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-with-a-copy-of-the-Bahrain-Declaration-in-Manama,-Bahrain,-on-November-20,-2025.
- His-Excellency-Mr.-Ali-Abdulla-Al-Aradi,-Deputy-Chairman-of-the-Board-of-Trustees-of-the-King-Hamad-Global-Center-for-Coexistence-and-Tolerance,-presents-Elder-David-A.-Bednar-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-with-a-copy-of-the-Bahrain-Declaration-in-Manama,-Bahrain,-on-November-20,-2025.
- A-delegation-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-meets-with-representatives-of-the-King-Hamad-Global-Center-for-Coexistence-and-Tolerance-in-Manama,-Bahrain,-on-November-20,-2025.
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The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Center to advance interfaith understanding and cooperation.
The Church was also represented by Elder Anthony D. Perkins and Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella, both from the Middle East/Africa North Area Presidency of the Church, accompanied by their spouses. Representatives of the King Hamad Center also included Mrs. Muneera Nofal Al Doseri, Executive Director of the Center, and Mrs. Noora Abdulla Al Mansoori, Director of Coexistence.
During the meeting, His Excellency Al Aradi provided additional information on the Center's current programs and initiatives. He highlighted the strong tradition of religious tolerance, including recognition of the beauty of different faith expressions. He also shared about the principles of the Bahrain Declaration and gifted a copy of it to Elder Bednar.
Both parties underscored that promoting and practicing interfaith dialogue is a solution to the challenges facing the world and the region.
The Church delegation expressed gratitude for the Kingdom of Bahrain for its friendship and for the opportunity for Church members to live and worship in Manama.
Elder Bednar mentioned that, similarly to many parts of the Middle East, the Church in Bahrain has a senior volunteer couple who support the local community, facilitate interfaith initiatives, and advance the Church's humanitarian work.
Elder Bednar pointed to the Church's nearly 90,000 volunteers who serve all around the world for 18 to 24 months, living in different cultures and learning other languages.
He noted: "They return home more than tolerant of the beliefs and practices of others. They return home as champions of coexistence and promoters of love for the people they served."
Previous engagements between the Church and the Center include interactions between Elder Patrick Kearon and His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Center's Board of Trustees, during the Global Faith Leaders Summit in November 2023 and an official visit by Elder Perkins to His Excellency Al Khalifa in May 2024, along with various other interactions between Church leaders and members of the Board of Trustees.
- Global-Faith-Leaders-Summit
- Global-Faith-Leaders-Summit
- Elder-Anthony-D.-Perkins,-President-of-the-Middle-East/Africa-North-Area-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints,-meets-with-His-Excellency-Dr.-Shaikh-Abdullah-bin-Ahmed-Al-Khalifa,-Chairman-of-the-Board-of-Trustees-of-the-King-Hamad-Global-Center-for-Peaceful-Coexistence,-in-Manama,-Bahrain,-on-May-6,-2024.
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After the meeting, Elder Perkins said: "We are exploring opportunities for followers of our Church to participate in educational initiatives of the King Hamad Center, which promote practices to improve tolerance."
While in Bahrain, Elder Bednar also spoke to the local Church congregation in Manama at a special devotional on November 19, 2025.
The Church of Jesus Christ actively engages in interfaith dialogue throughout the region and globally. Members of the Church strive to respect and learn from the world's diverse faith traditions—a principle rooted in their beliefs and daily practice.