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Appointment of Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai as Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic

On Friday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara issued a decision to appoint Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai as the Grand Mufti of the country, in a move aimed at "regulating religious discourse" and enhancing its role in building the future of Syria.
This appointment came at the conclusion of a conference that saw the establishment of the "Supreme Mufti Council," which will serve as the reference body for issuing religious fatwas.
President Al-Shara affirmed, through official platforms affiliated with the Syrian presidency, that the reconstruction of Syria relies on the efforts of its cadres, scholars, and citizens, emphasizing the importance of the role and responsibility of fatwas in constructing the new state, particularly after it has faced unqualified practices, necessitating a correction in direction and restoring the dignity of this high office.
Al-Shara added, "It was necessary to reinstate the position of Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic, after it was previously abolished, to be occupied today by a distinguished scholar from the best scholars of the Levant, Sheikh Osama bin Abdul Karim Al-Rifai, may God protect him."
He also stressed that issuing fatwas should be a collective responsibility, through a Supreme Council of Fatwa that undertakes the tasks of research and verification before issuing any fatwa, in pursuit of religious moderation and ensuring unity.
Al-Shara explained that a fatwa is "a great trust and a signature from God Almighty," noting that the Fatwa Council aims to establish a balanced religious discourse that combines authenticity and modernity, preserves national identity, and reduces conflicts that may lead to division.
The Fatwa Council includes 14 members representing various Syrian governorates, with its tasks involving issuing fatwas related to new issues and general matters, in addition to supervising and guiding local fatwa committees.
It is noteworthy that the position of Grand Mufti was previously held by Sheikh Ahmad Hassoun before it was abolished following a dispute between him and the Minister of Awqaf, leading to his arrest on Thursday at Damascus International Airport, as the new administration regards him as part of the former regime.
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BENEFIT Sponsors Gulf Uni...
- April 17, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.
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