Shura Council Speaker Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh praised the national efforts of Bahrain’s security and emergency services while participating in the Bahrain media and volunteering forum, which opened during June 13–15 under the theme “Towards Conscious Media and Sustainable Giving.” The opening remarks, according to a Shura Council statement, highlighted support for frontline defenders and reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to peace and community solidarity.
The forum took place in the capital and brought together officials, volunteers and media professionals to discuss media awareness and volunteer engagement. Speaker Al Saleh signed a loyalty and support document for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and participated in tributes to security personnel honored for their roles in recent security incidents, the statement said.
Bahrain media and volunteering forum draws officials, volunteers and journalists
Organized by the Bahrain Volunteer Society, the Bahrain media and volunteering forum aimed to link civic volunteering with responsible journalism and public communication. The three-day event featured panels, workshops and exhibitions designed to strengthen media awareness and promote sustainable volunteer programs, officials said.
Speaker Al Saleh’s participation underscored the legislative body’s interest in promoting social cohesion and supporting initiatives that enhance civic responsibility. The program’s topics included crisis communication, volunteer mobilization, ethical reporting and strategies for amplifying development achievements through national media.
Support for security forces and condemnation of external attacks
During the forum’s opening, the Shura Council speaker publicly commended the Bahrain Defence Force, National Guard and the Ministry of Interior for their “sincere national efforts” in confronting recent attacks attributed to Iran, according to the official release. He expressed full condemnation and rejection of the hostile actions that targeted Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council states as well as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Al Saleh emphasized that the state remains committed to defending the country’s security and protecting citizens and residents while safeguarding developmental achievements under the leadership of His Majesty the King and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Officials noted that honoring frontline personnel was intended to acknowledge their service and to reinforce national solidarity.
Volunteering as a social value and role of media awareness
The speaker praised the Bahrain Volunteer Society for convening a forum that bridges volunteering and media practice, saying volunteerism represents a core societal value that manifests cooperation, compassion and civic responsibility. Forum organizers highlighted volunteer contributions to community resilience and the ways volunteers complement official response capacities in times of crisis.
Meanwhile, media awareness emerged as a central theme, with panelists discussing the responsibilities of journalists and media institutions in accurately reporting national developments and countering misinformation. The forum sought to encourage reporting that contextualizes Bahrain’s development progress while promoting social unity and informed public debate.
Cultural tribute and historical documentation
As part of the event, Speaker Al Saleh visited a photographic exhibition by artist Ibrahim Bido that displayed historic and documentary images of the country’s leadership, according to the statement. Delegates and visitors said the exhibition provided cultural context and reinforced the connection between civic memory and contemporary policymaking.
The inclusion of cultural programming within the forum was framed as an effort to bolster national identity and to give volunteers and media professionals historical perspective on the nation’s development trajectory. Organizers said this approach helps ground media narratives in documented facts and shared heritage.
Regional context, policy implications and next steps
Officials at the forum framed recent security incidents in a regional context, calling for continued cooperation among Gulf states and allied partners to address threats and to preserve stability. The Shura Council speaker reiterated Bahrain’s preference for peaceful coexistence, good-neighbourliness and dialogue while affirming readiness to protect national interests.
Participants said they expect forum outputs to inform future training, public awareness campaigns and volunteer mobilization frameworks. Authorities indicated that follow-up actions could include targeted workshops for journalists on crisis reporting, expanded volunteer networks for emergency response and joint initiatives with regional partners to strengthen resilience.
Conclusion and what to watch next
The Bahrain media and volunteering forum concluded with commitments to translate discussions into concrete initiatives that strengthen volunteer engagement and media standards. Observers should watch for announcements from the Bahrain Volunteer Society and the Shura Council regarding training programs and policy proposals expected in the coming months.
Meanwhile, monitoring of regional security developments and any further official statements about cooperation with Gulf partners will be key to understanding the broader implications of recent events. The forum’s recommendations are likely to shape public communication strategies and volunteer roles in Bahrain’s civic and security landscape.
