Ambassador of Bahrain to Speak at SDSU

on Thursday, April 17

Contact:
Gina Speciale
Media Relations Specialist
San Diego State University
speciale@mail.sdsu.edu

H.E. Dr. Naser Al Belooshi, Ambassador of Bahrain to the U.S. presents SDSU President Stephen L. Weber with a gift during his visit to SDSU.

SAN DIEGO (Thursday, April 16, 2008) — Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States His Excellency Dr. Naser Al Belooshi will speak at San Diego State University at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17 at Hardy Tower 140.

Ambassador Al Belooshi will discuss U.S. relations with Bahrain as part of the SDSU lecture series “In the Name of God: The Role of Religion in Ethnic Conflict, Genocide and Terrorism,” co-sponsored by the Charles Hostler Institute on World Affairs and the Fred J. Hansen Foundation Distinguished Lecture Series.  He will also discuss the flourishing Bahraini economy and the merits of the Free Trade agreement between the two countries.

Located in the Persian Gulf, the Kingdom of Bahrain is considered one of the most thriving nations in the Middle East.  In 1932, Bahrain was the first country in the region to discover oil and brought rapid modernization to the country.  Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by the 15-mile King Fahd Causeway built in 1986.  During President Bush’s visit to Bahrain in January 2008, he said, “Bahrain has held free elections since 2000…and in 2006 elected a woman to parliament…Bahrain is showing strong leadership, and you’re showing the way forward for other nations.”  President Bush also said that Bahrain and the US are aligned in their vision of the future of the Middle East and are shouldering the burden and risks of defending freedom in the Middle East.

Bahrain is the home of US Naval 5th Fleet which Ambassador Charles Hostler helped to formalize at the end of the Gulf War I while he served from 1989 to 1993.  Many if not most of the ships deployed from San Diego to the Middle East, and particularly to the Gulf region, at one point have utilized the port of Bahrain.  As a result, the U.S. has approximately 3,500 military personnel living in Bahrain.

Ambassador Al Belooshi was appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States in August 2005 by his Majesty, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.  Ambassador Al Belooshi received his Ph.D. in Economics with honors and master’s degree in economics from the University of Paris, in addition to a degree in economic planning from the International Institute of Public Administration.  His career has included positions as executive director at the Central Bank of the Kingdom of Bahrain and executive director of the Arab Monetary Fund.

SDSU’s The Charles Hostler Institute on World Affairs, founded in 1942, is beginning its 66th year at SDSU. It is the second oldest organization of its kind west of the Mississippi River. Its purpose is to make available to the SDSU students, community, and to the people of Southern California, a forum for the discussion of critical topics in international affairs by hosting ambassadors and dignitaries to the U.S. from around the globe. Dr. Charles Hostler is a former U.S. ambassador to Bahrain and SDSU adjunct professor of political science who has earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from Georgetown University and 2 honorary 2 Ph.D.s.  He has received decorations from 9 foreign countries and 4 religious leaders.

The Fred J. Hansen Institute for World Peace promotes peaceful relations among adversary nations through cooperation on programs of mutual benefit and interest.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 74 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s approximately 34,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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