Pope Francis and "Tree of Life" (Shajarat-al-Hayat) of Bahrain
By
Fr. Midhun J Francis Kochukallanvila, SJ, New Age Islam
09
November 2022
Pope
Francis visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from 3 to 6 November 2022. Pope Francis
addressed the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, a meeting on "East and West for
Human Coexistence", as part of his Apostolic Journey to Bahrain. The Holy
Father also spoke to local officials, civil society organisations, and
diplomats, stressing that "every contact and every event can be a
productive opportunity to advance, in the name of God, the cause of fraternity
and peace." The Apostolic Journey, said Vatican Secretary of State
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was a sign of hope and dialogue in the midst of a
tragic historical time. He described the Pope's visit and actions in Bahrain as
"messages of unity, cohesion, and peace" in a "world defined by
tensions, oppositions, and conflicts" On 19 May 2014, Pope Francis
received the King of Bahrain, His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for an
audience at the Vatican; the theme of their common interest was "with
particular reference to the commitment to peace and stability in the Middle
East, and the promotion of dialogue and peaceful coexistence among all members
of society."
He
also addressed a word of friendship and affection to all who live in this
country: to every believer and every individual, and to the members of every
family, which is defined in the Bahrain Constitution as "the foundation of
society". He used the "symbol of vitality"; the "Tree of
Life" (Shajarat-al-Hayat) is a majestic acacia tree that has survived for
centuries in a desert area with very little rainfall. According to many people,
the secret lies in its roots, which extend dozens of meters underground and
draw from underground water sources.
The
Pope has also brought the land alive, as Bahrain has been called "the land
of the living" for millennia by ancient peoples attracted by its beauty
and abundant freshwater springs. As we rise from these far-reaching roots, we
see how Bahrain's geographical location, talents and commercial prowess,
together with historical events, have enabled it to become a hub of mutual
enrichment between peoples.
"May
we never allow the opportunities for encounters between civilisations,
religions and cultures to evaporate or the roots of our humanity to wither and
become lifeless! Let us work together. These days mark a valuable stage in the
journey of friendship that has intensified in recent years with various Islamic
religious leaders, a fraternal journey that seeks to promote peace on earth
under the gaze of heaven," he said.
He
acknowledged that the Kingdom of Bahrain has one of the highest rates of
immigration in the world: about half of the resident population is made up of
foreigners. In this country, it was the contribution of so many people from
different peoples that enabled a remarkable increase in productivity. At the
same time, we must recognise that unemployment in our world remains far too
high and that much of the work is indeed dehumanising. Bahrain's King Hamad of
Jordan has called on the Arab world to promote human dignity and respect for
all, especially those who feel marginalised, such as immigrants and prisoners.
May it be a beacon across the region for promoting equal rights and better
conditions for workers, women and young people while ensuring respect and care
for all.
He
warned the world that work is as valuable as bread. Like bread, it is often
lacking and often poisoned, as it enslaves. Let us ensure that working
conditions everywhere are safe and decent and promote rather than hinder
people's cultural and spiritual growth. Moreover, they promote social cohesion
for the benefit of the common life and development of each country.
The
image of the tree of life makes him think of two critical areas that apply to
all but challenging, especially those who, as rulers, are responsible for the
common good. How many trees are being cut down, how many ecosystems are being
destroyed and how many oceans are being polluted by our insatiable human greed,
which then falls back on us? Let us work tirelessly to confront this dramatic
predicament and make concrete and far-sighted decisions inspired by concern for
future generations before it is too late and their future is at risk!
The
tree of life makes me think of our human vocation, the vocation of every man
and woman on earth to make life flourish. I think above all of the monstrous
and senseless reality of war, which sows destruction everywhere and destroys
hope. War brings out the worst in people: selfishness, violence and dishonesty.
Let us reject the logic of weapons and change course by redirecting the
enormous military spending into investments to fight hunger and the lack of
health care and education.
Inviting
all people of goodwill, he quoted the Bahrain Declaration: "We commit
ourselves to work for a world where people of sincere faith come together to
reject what divides us and focus instead on celebrating and living.
...
Midhun
J Francis Kochukallan SJ is a Jesuit priest from the state of Kerala in India.
He is a research scholar specializing in Christian-Muslim interaction at the
Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He has a master's degree in philosophy
from Tilk University, Pune, a licentiate in systematic theology from JDV in
Pune, a postgraduate diploma in Islamic studies from the Henry Martyn Institute
in Hyderabad, as well as diplomas in Arabic and Urdu. He works with the South
Asian Jesuit Conference on Christian-Muslim relationships. He also contributes
to a number of English and Malayalam magazines and newspapers.
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