Al-Hajri Calls for "Urgent International Intervention" to Protect the Druze
May 1, 2025, 7:52 pm

الهجري

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community, has called for urgent and direct international intervention to protect civilians in Syria. This came in a press statement issued today, where al-Hajri emphasized the need for the international community to recognize "this neglect and cover-up" regarding the calamities faced by members of the Druze community.

Al-Hajri pointed out that they "do not need words but actions," confirming that they are "not advocates of separation, nor will they be," but rather advocates for real participation in establishing a democratic federal state that guarantees their dignity, the freedom of the homeland and its citizens, and security.

He affirmed that he no longer trusts the entity that claims to be a government, stating that a government does not kill its people through its sectarian gangs and then, after the massacres, pretends that these are rogue elements. He explained that the request for international protection is a legitimate right for a people that has been subjected to horrific massacres.

Al-Hajri added that "the systematic killing is evident, exposed, and documented," stressing the necessity of immediate international forces' intervention to maintain peace and prevent these crimes from continuing. He issued an urgent call to protect the innocent and helpless population.

The statement from Sheikh al-Hajri came just hours after the halt of military operations in the south of the capital Damascus, following clashes that erupted on the night of Monday and early Tuesday in the Jaramana area, spreading to the predominantly Druze Ashrafiyat Sahnaia area. This escalation followed the circulation of a voice recording containing insults to the Prophet Muhammad and Islam, attributed to one of the Druze community's sheikhs, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens, including security personnel.

Majorities, Minorities, and Democratic State Institutions Al-Hajri Calls for "Urgent International Intervention" to Protect the Druze

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”