Racism Must Always Be Fought Systematically, Not Just Verbally!
July 15, 2021, 2:53 pm

Racism Must Always Be Fought Systematically, Not Just Verbally!

Jwan Dibo

In the wake of England's loss to Italy last Sunday in the Euro 2020 final, social media platforms were filled with racist messages and posts directed at three black players in England's football team. Despite the widespread public and official denunciation campaign against the online racist wave, it has raised a few thorny and complex questions.

Does online racism reflect an imbalance in the performance of state institutions, especially in the education sector in its early stages? Or does it reflect a dysfunction in the management and control of social media platforms?

Is verbal denunciation by officials sufficient? Will this verbal denunciation accompany or be followed by practical measures inside the relevant institutions? Is the existing legislation adequate to criminalise racism and prosecute racists? What is the relationship between the rise of populism and far-right in Europe, on the one hand, and the revival of racism on the other hand?

Historically, Britain has been a haven for refugees and escapees from the inferno of religious and ethnic wars that were taking place in Europe and elsewhere. Jane Robinson explains in her book ‘Seeking Sanctuary, A History of Refugees in Britain’ that since 16th century Britain was a sanctuary for those who fled from the hell of religious wars in south and west Europe. For example, Karl Marx was expelled from Paris because of his views and moved to London in 1849 to live there the rest of his life. Diversity is one of the hallmarks of contemporary British society.

But the question that arises strongly in this context: Is Britain's rich historical legacy of tolerance and diversity matched by another rich legacy in legislation that combat racism and discrimination? In other words, are the existing laws and legislation that prohibit and criminalise racism in Britain sufficient or does they need to be renewed? Are the existing laws and legislation adequate, or should other legislation and laws be added that are commensurate with the size and nature of contemporary challenges in this field? Are the mechanisms for implementing the old (current) laws and legislation regarding fighting racism in Britain proportional to the current circumstances, or do they need to be updated and modernised?

Stefano Fella and Carlo Ruzza answer to these questions to a certain extent in their book 'Anti-Racist Movements in the EU Between Europeanisation and National Trajectories'. They state that “The United Kingdom has been generally identified as a leader in the development of anti-racist legislation. Specific anti-racist legislation was first introduced in the 1960s and developed further in the 1970s”. Considering the date of the issuance of the first anti-racism legislation in Britain and the date of the amendment that followed, we conclude that racism has been criminalised in Britain not very long ago. The second fact is that no new legislation and laws against racism have been issued since 1960, which may reflect a legislative defect in this regard. Note that thousands of racist incidents have occurred during the last two decades in Britain and Europe, which requires the adoption of more stringent laws and regulation.

If the rise of far-right has become the new normal for Europe, this does not mean that racism should become normal and commonplace. It is true that we do not live in ideal or angelic societies as long as we live on the earth. But civilised countries should not fail for a moment to combat racism and prosecute racists on the basis of reviewing old (existing) legislation in this regard and adding new legislation which should be more compatible with the times.

The wide-ranging official and public sympathy with the three players in England’s football team who were subjected to a fierce racist attack on the internet is not enough. What is required is to prosecute the owners of these racist posts and to shed more positive light on the three competent players in more than one way, whether by officials or institutions. We must not forget that historically racism was the nucleus and the foundation stone of Nazism and Fascism. Therefore, combating racism must turn into an essential part of the culture and general tasks of the state and society, not into a seasonal or temporary work. levant

by: Jwan Dibo levant

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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.