Bashar al-Assad and the Islamic Summit: The Rhetoric of Peace and the Practice of Oppression
November 11, 2024, 4:17 pm

Bashar al-Assad and the Islamic Summit: The Rhetoric of Peace and the Practice of Oppression

Shiyar Khaleal

In a scene filled with contradictions, Bashar al-Assad appeared at the Islamic Summit in Riyadh, speaking of peace, ending violence, and the Palestinian cause. However, his speech was nothing more than a transparent attempt to rebrand himself as a “resistance leader” in the region, deliberately ignoring his central role in destroying his country, displacing his people, imprisoning them, and opening the doors for Iran to implement its expansionist agenda.

The Palestinian Cause as a Tool: The Legacy of Father and Son

Like his father, Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad has used the Palestinian cause as a pretext to justify his oppressive policies and advance his domestic and regional agendas. Hafez monopolized the rhetoric of “resistance” for decades, but his actions only served to consolidate his grip on power while tightening his regime’s security control over Syrians.

Bashar followed the same path, further exploiting the Palestinian cause to gain regional legitimacy, even while his air force and artillery wreaked havoc on the Syrian people. For the Assad regime, Palestine has always been a propaganda tool to distract from domestic oppression and war crimes, not a genuine cause to defend.

Opening the Doors to Iran and Enabling Its Regional Agenda

Any discussion of Assad’s speech at the Islamic Summit cannot ignore the role he has played in opening Syria to Iran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah. Since the beginning of his rule, Bashar al-Assad has played a key role in facilitating Iranian penetration of the region, contributing to the destabilization of Arab states.

• Hezbollah: The Syrian regime’s support for Hezbollah remains a cornerstone of Iran’s influence in Lebanon, creating a perpetual threat to regional stability, especially for Gulf nations.

• Iran in Syria: Since the Syrian revolution erupted, Syria has become a platform for implementing Iran’s agenda, from forming sectarian militias and altering the demographic composition of certain Syrian areas to strengthening Iranian military influence on Israel’s borders.

Failed Arab Attempts to Distance Assad from Iran

Several Arab states have tried, on more than one occasion, to bring Bashar al-Assad back into the Arab fold by enticing him to sever ties with Iran. However, all these attempts have failed. The Syrian regime has proven that it sees no benefit in returning to the Arab sphere, preferring complete dependence on Iran and its allies.

• Iran’s Entrenched Role: Despite Arab efforts, Iran has become the primary strategic ally of the Syrian regime, providing it with military and economic support to ensure its survival.

• Lack of Arab Trust: Recent developments suggest that Assad’s return to Arab platforms does not reflect genuine consensus but rather a pragmatic effort by some states to manage the Syrian crisis with minimal losses, without expecting any fundamental change in the regime’s policies.

The Hypocrisy of Assad’s Rhetoric

Assad’s rhetoric about peace and ending violence is utterly inconsistent with his actions, which have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Syrians. His talk of Palestine and peace cannot be separated from his policies that paved the way for Syria’s disintegration, turning it into a battleground for regional and international conflicts.

Conclusion: Assad and the Illusion of Legitimacy

Bashar al-Assad continues to attempt to polish his image through summits and international platforms, exploiting the same outdated slogans he inherited from his father. Yet, the reality remains that he represents nothing more than a repressive security regime that serves the agendas of Iran and Hezbollah. He has no place in any genuine peace project in the region.

Unless Assad is held accountable for his crimes, any talk of peace—whether in Syria or Palestine—will remain a mere political mirage, offering no real solutions.

Levant-shiyar khaleal

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.