Addressing the fourth World Islamic Forum in Kuwait, Shaikh Khalifa said reforms had become tangible elements in societies including Bahrain, which has been able, thanks to the royal reforms initiated by His Majesty the King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to keep the wheels of progress in motion covering all political and economic domains.
"Development is a noble human target and Islamic partnership is its indispensable tool, and a reflection of Islamic values like cooperation, solidarity and dedication to constant progress and advancement for better welfare and sustainable growth," the Prime Minister said.
The session, held under the theme "Islamic Nations in a Competitive World," began with an opening address by the Kuwaiti Premier, Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah. Lauding Kuwait’s remarkable contribution to the development projects in Islamic countries including Bahrain, Shaikh Khalifa called on Islamic nations to be part of an economic bloc capable of competing with other giant blocs in the world.
"Among the challenges facing Islamic nations are poverty, ignorance and diseases that necessitate sagacious leadership and broad cooperation with all parties in the world to bring about security and peace and push the wheels of progress forward," the Prime Minister said.
The participation of Islamic countries in international development fora is the best way to refute allegations that attempt to distort Islam’s genuine content, he said.
Shaikh Nasser, in his address, said Islamic nations have enough in common to consolidate their ties, and outlined a number of challenges facing Islamic nations including poverty, unemployment, brain drain and slow investment activities.
He also called for the creation of an Islamic common market to stand up to these challenges.
