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Islam is Under Attack: Erdogan's New-Old Lie

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, always strives to transfer his internal crises by distracting Turkish public opinion with fabricated issues abroad. Erdogan has become an expert in this field, especially, when the matter is religious and linked to Islam and Muslims. The reason is that religious matters are easy to be utilised and employed in serving Erdogan’s agendas inside and outside Turkey.
What is going on in France since October 2, so far, is a great opportunity for Erdogan to recruit it for his own religious and nationalist populist purposes inside and outside Turkey.
It is of note that, there are no attacks against Islam and Muslims in France as Erdogan and his allies have alleged. On the contrary, there are terrorist attacks, from time to time, by some Islamic extremists against innocent French civilians. Muslims in France practice their worship and rites freely, which is guaranteed by the Constitution and the law. It is rather, a constitutional and lawful campaign by the French government against Islamic radicals supported by Turkey and Qatar.
On October 2, the French President set out a plan to combat “Islamist separatism” which has sought to create “a parallel order” in France. He stated that “Islam is a religion which is experiencing a crisis today, all over the world”. Macron, also, indicated that there is a kind of
conflict and disagreement inside Islam itself between fundamentalism and proper religious projects. This was a candid gesture that Macron did not include whole Islam and all Muslims within the circle of radicalism.
However, what really triggered Erdogan's outrage and the rest of political Islam groups was when the French President said “There was a need to free Islam in France from foreign influences" referring implicitly to Turkey and Qatar. The President went further when he
pledged to draw new strategies to finish a system that permits imams to train and educate abroad. He stressed that homes-schooling must be reduced, and religious funding must be controlled. He added that all religious associations must sign a contract that respects “the
values of the French republic” in order to receive support. Afterwards, Erdogan deliberately and selectively began to choose very carefully some of
Macron’s words and sentences separating them from their original context and accusing Macron of being hostile towards Islam. Another direct reason behind Erdogan’s stinging attack on Macron in vulgar and non-diplomatic language was when the French authorities closed recently some mosques and religious institutions funded by Turkey and Qatar.
For Erdogan, there are many other reasons to hate and attack Macron and France.
France is, almost, the only European country that always stands against Turkey’s expansionist plans in more than one place, Syria, Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean, Iraqi Kurdistan, Nagorno Karabakh and elsewhere.
Historically, there was a constant tension between Turkish successive governments including the current one, and who were ruling in the Elysée Palace over Kurdish issue in the Middle East.
This tension between Ankara and Paris over the Kurds escalated during Macron's presidency. The reason is due to his advanced stance on the Kurdish issue in Syria during the Syrian protracted crisis, compared to the attitudes of other European countries.
What encourages Erdogan to go further into his antagonistic policies towards France and EU is the lack of consensus among EU members to adopt a unified strategy against Erdogan's destabilising policies in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Likewise, Erdogan benefits
from the disagreements between U.S and EU on the one hand, and from the disputes between Russia and EU, on the other hand. In this context, Erdogan sometimes turns into a pawn in the hands of America and Russia to annoy each other as well as to infuriate Europe, in return for some gains.
Erdogan, also, derives his strength from the large Turkish communities in Europe, especially in Germany and France. These communities have become a loose social incubator for the Turkish and Qatari intelligence agendas to reinforce political Islam groups in Europe, principally, the Muslim Brotherhood.
The new Sultan has become a dangerous phenomenon, not only against France, but also against the entire Europe. The danger derives from his exploitation of Islam and political Islam groups in serving his nationalist and populist agendas to transform Turkey into a great power,
not only at the regional level, but at the global level too. He attempts to depict to Sunni Muslims all over the world that there is a conflict between the West and the Muslim world, and it is primarily a religious contention. Therefore, he has become an important influencer
and inspirer to many Sunni Muslims in the world. EU is in the eye of the storm and it is almost the only region that has paid, so far, a very costly invoice due to Erdogan’s adventures.
There are not any attacks on Islam, neither in France nor in Europe. Rather, there are attacks against France and EU by political Islam groups who are backed by Turkey and Qatar.
In other words, there is a new kind of war against France and EU by Turkey. Simply, it is a new type of proxy war waged by Erdogan’ Turkey for regional and international influence and hegemony.
The new Ottoman Sultan cannot confront Europe directly, neither militarily nor economically. Hence, he has nothing left but to harass Europe on its security domestic front through his arms spreading throughout Europe. If the jeopardy spreads more than it is currently, France
will not be the only victim, but rather all EU. That is why EU and Britain are required to stand firmly with France against political Islam groups in Europe, especially the Muslim Brotherhood. Similarly, to deter their financiers and masters in Ankara and Doha
by : Jwan Dibo
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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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