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Dimensions of the September 2022 Uprising

There is no doubt that the uprising that began in the last week of September 2022, led by brave Iranian women and girls, is considered one of the most widespread and important popular uprisings in Iran in recent years.
The Iranian resistance, due to its costly struggle against the ruling religious dictatorship for 44 years, and as a result of its deep understanding of the explosive situation in Iranian society, had anticipated this uprising. Assessments and analyses indicated that Khamenei's policy of purging power had reached a dead end. This policy directed against the people was aimed at curbing popular uprisings, but in reality it could not prevent the outbreak of the uprising and the emergence of widespread protests and strikes.
The September 2022 uprising began in response to the government's killing of Mahsa (Jina) Amini on September 15 and continued for many months, with fluctuations in its intensity, until it became a widespread movement that transformed the accumulated anger in society into a huge fire that has not been extinguished to this day.
In that uprising, the Iranian people challenged the entire Velayat-e Faqih regime. From the first moments of the uprising, the central slogans of the demonstrators were "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Khamenei".
A state media outlet wrote four days before the unjust martyrdom of Mahsa Amini in the morality police prison known as Ershad:
"The people are under great pressure and do not trust the government. You have made the people very angry with Khomeini, the revolution and the regime. They express their anger not only in words, but also in their actions. If you want to believe it, give the people a day of freedom and see what they will do" (Khabarfori, state-run website, September 12, 2022).
In the 2022 uprising, the entire government was taken by surprise. Mohsen Mahdian, one of the regime's cultural figures, said on state television, astonished by the rapid uprising that swept the country: "In these two days, things happened that we have not seen in the past forty years, because violence and chaos began from the first hour."
The violence and chaos meant the overwhelming anger of the revolutionary youth who did not care about the regime’s armed forces’ suppression to the teeth and rushed to the streets like a torrent. The intense anger of the vulnerable women and girls who were at the forefront and carried the banner of the uprising attracted the world’s attention.
The same person added: “The main issue was not the hijab or the morality police, and it was not even the incident of the late Mahsa Amini. These (angry demonstrators) were protesting against the regime, and their slogans clearly showed that. They were targeting the regime itself.”
Historical Background of the Iranian People’s Confrontation with Tyranny
The anti-tyranny uprisings, from the Constitutional Revolution in 1906 to the 2022 uprising, are the result of the efforts and sacrifices made by the Iranian people to achieve freedom and social justice. The Iranians have repeatedly stood up to colonialism and tyranny, paid a heavy price and stood firm no matter what the cost. Although the Constitutional Revolution and the movement to nationalize the oil industry led by Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh were subjected to internal and external conspiracies, their legacy is still alive in the streets and in the comprehensive Iranian social movements. The September 2022 uprising was based on this glorious historical legacy. For this historical reason, as soon as the news of the murder of Mahsa Amini was heard, the uprising broke out quickly and within hours in Tehran, then in Saqqez (the birthplace of Mahsa Amini) and Sanandaj (the capital of Iranian Kurdistan). At the same time, students of Tehran University took action and began demonstrating with anti-regime slogans. On the second day, the cities of Sanandaj, Mahabad, Gohardasht and Karaj witnessed an uprising full of anger and hatred without fear of the bullets of the regime's suppressive forces. In the following days, many cities in various provinces of Iran went on strike and held demonstrations. At the same time, universities were filled with slogans and angry voices raised by students and academics. The Kurdish city of Divandareh (in Kurdistan Province) turned into a battlefield between the rebellious youth and the security and intelligence suppression forces. In the following days, the protests and demonstrations expanded to many Iranian cities, to the point that in the second half of the Iranian year, not a single day passed without an uprising or revolution.
On January 28, 2023, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran announced in a statement that the uprising had spread to more than 282 Iranian cities, that 750 people had lost their lives during the uprising, and that the number of detainees had reached more than 30,000. On March 28, 2023, the names of 675 of those killed by the regime's suppression forces were published.
The Future and Prospects of the Mahsa Uprising
At a glance, it can be said that all the factors and conditions that led to the 2022 uprising are still in place, and even, despite the increase in repression and executions after Pezeshkian was appointed president, public discontent, protests and strikes are expanding at a sharper pace. The human rights situation has deteriorated significantly. Since Pezeshkian took office, more than 166 people have been executed. This highlights the regime’s reliance on intimidation and repression as a means of maintaining its power.
The Velayat-e Faqih regime has crossed irreparable red lines in the face of the Iranian people, and it is impossible to return to what it was before the 2022 uprising. In addition, the regime has neither the ability nor the will to solve the living crises that 90 million Iranians are suffering from. Young people, women and graduates constitute a large part of this population, and they lack job and life opportunities and see no hope or prospects for their future.
Looking at the recent elections held to appoint a new president of the regime, it can be concluded that this regime lacks popular legitimacy, and that repressive efforts to maintain power will not lead to any results. The widespread boycott of these elections and the participation of only 12% of eligible voters confirm this fact.
BY: Mir Mohammadi System
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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