Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Quotes

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Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Profession : Royalty

Birth : October 21, 1969

Sectarian divide has created a schism in our society that is a major challenge. As monarch of all Bahrainis, it pains me to see many harmed by the actions of a few. And yet I am optimistic and have faith in our people. We all realize that now is the time to strike a balance between stability and gradual reform.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Along with our friends in the GCC, the first order of business is stability. Beyond the imperative of stability, the most important priority is job creation for all Bahrainis.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

I care about Bahrain. Bahrain is very dear to me. I will not allow people to play around with our laws.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

We have evidence that a number of Bahrainis who oppose our government are being trained in Syria. I have seen the files and we have notified the Syrian authorities, but they deny any involvement.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

In a sense there is no 'opposition' in Bahrain, as the phrase implies one unified block with the same views. Such a phrase is not in our constitution, unlike say the United Kingdom. We only have people with different views and that's ok.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

There is no doubt that some in Iran have an unhealthy focus on Bahrain, as some of the broadcast coverage shows.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

We are a constitutional monarchy. I don't order laws, I propose them. Article 35 of our constitution states that the king can only refuse a law of parliament once, then he has to sign it - if the same law is then supported by a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

There are no 'political prisoners' as such in Bahrain. People are not arrested because they express their views, we only have criminals.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

In establishing democracy, we have to be sensitive to the regional and national context. Democracy also means to guarantee the rights of the minorities. That's my job as a king. We have for example a Jewish ambassador in the US and a Christian in the UK.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Bahrainis are better off than many other Arabs. We have a welfare state, everybody gets a salary whether they have a job or not. Electricity and food are subsidized; school and healthcare are free. And we don't differentiate between Bahrainis and foreigners. We are very proud of that.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Societies cannot move forward without law, and our constitution is the cornerstone of the law and our National Assembly is its umbrella and fortress.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

If people have done something wrong then they should be held accountable.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

I care about Bahrain.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

I don't order laws, I propose them.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa