Qatar’s curriculum is still far from standards of peace and tolerance, a study says
June 7, 2021, 5:49 am

qatar

The Henry Jackson Society and IMPACT-se, and Israeli counter-extremism think tank published a study on Qatar’s school curriculum for grades 1–12. The Qatari curriculum appears to be in a phase of transformation. Qatar’s curriculum

While slightly less radical than previous versions, the process of moderation is in its infancy. Some offensive material has been removed after decades of radical propaganda in Qatari schools. In Islamic religious studies there is very little improvement. Jihad war, martyrdom and violent jihadi movements are praised. The curriculum is still far from meeting international standards of peace and tolerance, says the study.

Pan-Islamic and pan-Arab nationalism dominate the religious tenor of the curriculum, the study mentions in its executive summary.

It also says Qatari education is heavily influenced by Western educators, but serious issues exist regarding peace and tolerance. In Islamic religious studies there is very little improvement. Jihad war, martyrdom and violent jihadi movements are praised.

In Qatari curriculum, Women are encouraged to be brave, serve their homeland and families, and have many children. Despite women's "empowerment," careers are not a priority. Qatar’s curriculum

"In previous curricula, students learned that democracy was incompatible with Islam; that befriending non-Muslims was a sin; that a Jewish world conspiracy aimed at taking over the world; that the Jews were treacherous by nature and were using women to sabotage Islam; and that the Church, Crusades, charities, missionary work, Middle Eastern studies and modern Western and Arab liberal thought had all been part of one grand scheme aimed at destroying Islam."

The curriculum now praises democracy and encourages participation in school elections. There is a slight movement away from radical jihadism but a great

amount remains.

Although Qataris are working on developing school curricula to meet UNESCO standards, but Middle Eastern minorities (such as Amazig, Yazidis, Kurds and Maronites) are largely ignored.

The study shows unfairness of the Palestinian cause, criticizing that Qatari curriculum praises the Palestinian resistance against the Israelis, but forgetting that Palestinians are only resisting because of the Israeli occupation. Qatar’s curriculum

In its conclusion, the study concludes that Qatar's involvement in world affairs is ongoing and includes the global spread of political Islam.

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Source: Henry Jackson Society

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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.