The Alawite Religious Authority Warns of Serious Violations Threatening Civil Peace.. and Demands Fair Treatment
The demand for forming joint security forces reflects the Alawite community's desire to participate in protecting their areas within the framework of new state institutions
December 17, 2024, 7:07 pm

The Alawite Religious Authority Warns of Serious Violations Threatening Civil Peace.. and Demands Fair Treatment

انتشار التطرف في سوريا \ تعبيرية \ مصممة بالذكاء الاصطناعي

The Council of Scholars of Young Descendants of Muhammad in the Syrian Coast issued a strong statement warning of serious violations targeting the Alawite community, while affirming its commitment to the Alawite Media Authority's decision regarding loyalty to the state and staying away from sectarian strife.

The statement, written by council member Abu Ibrahim Salami, monitored a series of violations in the areas of Homs, Hama, Masyaf, and Banias, including looting, attacks on residents, and house burnings, criticizing the authorities' failure to protect civilians.

The Alawite Religious Authority demanded immediate disclosure of the fate of a convoy of defecting officers who disappeared near Al-Sukhna while heading from Deir ez-Zor to their families, as well as a group of young people detained in Hama prison.

The council emphasized the need for balanced transitional justice, recalling the massacres that Alawite villages endured throughout the years of conflict, including the Al-Tawba Prison tragedy, the Adra Workers massacre, and the events in rural Latakia in 2013, confirming thousands of civilian casualties.

The Religious Authority strongly condemned the targeting of religious shrines and Alawite ancestral tombs under the cover of military operations, considering it a flagrant violation of religious sanctities and contrary to Islamic law, which prohibits the desecration of graves.

The council proposed a security initiative involving the formation of joint groups under state supervision and in coordination with military leadership, denying any intention to form independent armed factions and affirming its commitment to working within official institutions.

The Religious Authority pointed to the dual suffering of the Alawite community under Assad's regime, documenting the elimination of Alawite officers and military personnel who refused to fire on peaceful protesters, whom the regime presented as victims of armed groups.

The statement called for a comprehensive approach to accountability, suggesting either holding all those involved in violations accountable or issuing a general amnesty to turn the page on the past, while being strict in accounting for any future violations.

The Religious Authority concluded its statement by declaring allegiance to Ahmad Al-Shara as president, conditional on meeting the community's demands and protecting its rights, warning against attempts by remnants of the former regime to exploit the current chaos to fuel sectarian strife.

The statement concluded by affirming the Alawite community's commitment to participating in building a new Syria based on civilization and coexistence, calling on the new authorities to reciprocate and maintain this positive direction.

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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.