womanthismonth.com | OCTOBER 2025 INTERVIEW 13 welcomed people from all backgrounds, creating a vibrant and strong society built on cultural diversity. Türkiye plays a significant role in regional geopolitics. How does Ankara view Bahrain’s role in fostering stability and dialogue in the Gulf and the wider Middle East? Bahrain is the land of peace and stability and it gives importance to diplomacy and dialogue in the management of regional challenges. With our cooperation, I am sure we will together uphold peace and prosperity in our region. Our region is the cradle of civilisations and despite the challenges we face, unity is the key to defeating any threats to our stability and wellbeing. Türkiye continues its efforts to promote peace and stability in our region and beyond. For example, from day one, Türkiye has supported Syria’s efforts for peace, recovery and reconstruction. Thousands of Syrian babies were born in Türkiye and started their education there, building enduring social and cultural ties. Another example is our diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia. Since the very outset of the conflict, Türkiye has played a leading role in securing a just and sustainable peace. Since May, Türkiye has hosted three rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul. Türkiye also helped bring the Black Sea Grain Initiative to life – a vital step for escalation management and food security during the crisis. Looking ahead, Bahrain’s non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, a candidacy supported by Türkiye, will provide a vital platform to address issues important to the Islamic world and the broader Middle East. We have no doubt that Bahrain will approach this responsibility with commitment and balance. As Türkiye, we stand by our brotherly Gulf countries at all times and will continue to work together for regional stability. What initiatives are underway to strengthen cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the peoples of Türkiye and Bahrain? Culture remains one of the most subtle yet powerful instruments of diplomacy. In Bahrain, particularly among the younger generation, there is a genuine curiosity about and appreciation for Turkish culture and language. Turkish cuisine, art, natural landscapes and especially our TV series enjoy remarkable popularity. Bahraini brothers and sisters travel to Türkiye frequently, mostly to İstanbul, Trabzon and the coastal cities such as Antalya. Yet no matter how many times one visits Türkiye, there is always something new to discover. I encourage tourists not to miss UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, inscribed in 2025. Are there any educational partnerships, scholarships or exchange programmes that could help bring young Turks and Bahrainis closer together? Since 2017, under an agreement between the Yunus Emre Cultural Centre and the University of Bahrain, Turkish language courses have been offered at the University. Over the years, hundreds of students have taken part. Türkiye is home to many top-ranked universities where the language of instruction is English and we would like to see more Bahraini youth in our universities. The Türkiye Scholarships programme is one of the world’s most comprehensive, offering stipends, health insurance, accommodation and vocational and academic opportunities. So far, 39 Bahraini students have benefited from it. We would be delighted to host more Bahraini youth in Türkiye – their second home – to pursue higher education and further strengthen our ties. Both Türkiye and Bahrain value religious tolerance and cultural diversity. How do these shared values shape the bilateral relationship and soft power diplomacy between our countries? Both Türkiye and Bahrain are lands of coexistence where diverse faiths and traditions thrive side by side. This shared heritage of tolerance is a source of pride. At a time when the world struggles with polarisation, we are showing that diversity is not a weakness but our greatest strength. Scan to watch
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