His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa featured in a list comprising more than 30 Arab influential personalities which will mark the year 2018. 
Egyptian Al-Ahram Al-Arabi, a weekly magazine, paid tribute to HM the King who led the process of landmark reforms since taking over from late Amir of Bahrain His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa in 1999.
The political magazine dedicated a feature themed “Hamad bin Isa … King of Peace”, hailing his initiatives and crucial role in consolidating peace, tolerance and co-existence. 
It hailed the inauguration of the King Hamad Global Centre for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Los Angeles in the United States on the 14th of September, 2017.
“The opening of the milestone stems from HM the King’s firm belief in the standing of Bahrain as an international beacon for co-existence, peace and dialogue between religions, cultures and civilizations”, said the magazine.
The magazine highlighted Bahrain’s strides under the reform process, led by HM the King, citing particularly the release of all political prisoners, the dissolution of the state security court and royal decision allowing Bahraini citizens to return from abroad. 
Al-Arabi also underlined the royal landmark decision on the 16th December, 2000, to establish the bicameral system and hold free parliamentary elections in 2001, following the municipal polls – thus signaling a return to parliamentary life after a twenty-five-year suspension.
The magazine hailed the role of HM the King in supporting stability and combating terrorism in Bahrain and the whole Arab region. 
“HM the King was the first leader to visit Egypt following the June 30 Revolution, which affirmed that Manama and Cairo are combating terrorism and extremism hand in hand”, said the magazine.