His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today delivered a speech to students amid national efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The royal address was aired through a video call during the “Be Aware” program on Bahrain TV.

Hereafter is a translation of HM the King’s speech:

“In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

My sons and daughters the students, God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

At the outset, I would like to laud the good efforts of those in charge of this purposeful program that is distinguished by its presentation and addressing of topics that concern us all as we face this God willing temporary epidemic.

On behalf of everyone, it gives us great pleasure to renew our sincere thanks and profound gratitude to our faithful Crown Prince for his diligent follow-up and management of “Team Bahrain" in dealing with the current circumstance, by anticipating many highly effective remedial and precautionary measures, and continuing to confront responsibly the risks of the epidemic to eliminate it with God’s help. We also highly appreciate the Bahraini medical team for its endless efforts and for achieving results that rise to the challenge.

We also express appreciation to our esteemed government headed by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, which is exerting great efforts in the service of our beloved nation.

My sons and daughters, 

This is a good opportunity to communicate with you from my position as a caring parent through this video call provided by this program to be reassured about the progress of your educational process and results in light of these exceptional circumstances across the whole world. Our country is addressing them with determination, fortitude and steadfastness, and I have learned that your academic status is fine, praise be to God.

You, dear sons and daughters, have been since the outbreak of this pandemic, at the top of our priorities to protect you, keep you safe, and take every necessary measure to help you complete your school year smoothly, safely and successfully, and to continue to do your duty diligently and assiduously. I am confident you will achieve the set results as expected from you.

This is also a good opportunity we pay tribute and express appreciation to the distinguished school teachers and administrators for their sincere endeavor to continue the educational process remotely, and in the best possible way. 

Remember, our dear sons and daughter, that the members of "Team Bahrain " were one day students like you, and the day will come, with the grace of God, and as a result of your diligence, you will take over from them and continue their journey in the service of the homeland and across all areas.

In such circumstances, it is imperative that we adhere to our straightforward national approach to protecting and prioritizing the high interest of our country. This is evident in the behavior of the honorable people of Bahrain, through their sincere efforts, self-discipline and responsible awareness in order to, with God's help, reach safe shores, achieve full recovery and return to our life as we know it before the virus.

After taking and complying with all the measures, we rely on God the Almighty. We resort to Him, we strengthen our faith in His ability to lift this scourge from Muslims and all people, and we pray to Him to save everyone from evil and harm and to bless our country and our people with further goodness and serenity.

In conclusion of this talk, we extend our sincere congratulations to all on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, in which we look forward to goodness and joy, even though its circumstances this year are different. We pray to God to bestow on us the grace and blessings of the holy month and to make it auspicious for us, the Islamic nation and everyone.

Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”