Bahrain welcomes 鈥楩ather 杏MAP导航鈥� for historic return to Gulf region

杏MAP导航

Both Christians and Muslims are welcoming 杏MAP导航 Francis to Bahrain as 鈥淔ather 杏MAP导航鈥� for his historic visit to the Gulf country, says Nivedita Dhadphale, a Bahraini communications expert.

By Devin Watkins 鈥� Manama, Bahrain

杏MAP导航 Francis arrives in the Kingdom of Bahrain on Thursday for a 4-day visit to shine the spotlight on the twin themes of interreligious dialogue and closeness to Christians living in the Muslim-majority nation.

鈥淔or Bahrain, this visit is very historic, because we have never had someone like the 杏MAP导航 come here in terms of promoting dialogue.鈥�

Nivedita Dhadphale, a consultant with Bahrain鈥檚 National Communication Centre, offered that description of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 39th Apostolic Journey abroad, on 3-6 November.

Ms. Nivedita Dhadphale (R)

Open, welcoming society

Speaking to Vatican News in Bahrain, Ms. Dhadphale said the country has a 鈥渓ong history of churches and places of worship of different religions.鈥�

The British-Bahraini communications expert has spent the last 30 years in Bahrain, but she still remembers being struck when she saw that Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, was celebrated openly, as well as public displays of Christmas decorations.

鈥淚've lived here for over three decades, and what I can say is that it's a very, very open society and the people are very warm and they're just welcoming.鈥�

Relations among various religions, said Ms. Dhadphale, who is of Indian origin and professes Hinduism, goes beyond tolerance of the beliefs of others.

鈥淚t鈥檚 like an extended family that just has a different belief or a different faith,鈥� she noted.

As part of his visit, 杏MAP导航 Francis will attend the closing session of the 鈥淏ahrain Forum for Dialogue: East-West Dialogue for Human Coexistence"鈥� on Friday, along with around 200 leaders of various faiths.

Bahraini paper: "Peace... as we receive the 杏MAP导航 of the Vatican"

鈥楤aba 杏MAP导航鈥�

The people of Bahrain鈥攂oth Christians and Muslims鈥攈ave a particular name for 杏MAP导航 Francis.

鈥�Baba 杏MAP导航鈥� they call him, or 鈥淔ather 杏MAP导航鈥�, after the Arabic word for 鈥淔ather鈥�, said Ms. Dhadphale, adding that he is never referred to as just 鈥溞覯AP导航鈥�.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very endearing, but it鈥檚 also very respectful. It gives him the respect he deserves,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the local Bahrainis calling him Baba 杏MAP导航.

On Thursday, the local papers in Bahrain were filled with pictures of 杏MAP导航 Francis with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Headlines focused on the interreligious dialogue aspect of his visit.

鈥淭hey are very excited about him coming,鈥� said Ms. Dhadphale, 鈥渂ecause he represents something very important.鈥�

Listen to the full interview