صبحي ساله يي

Long experiences with those whose thinking is dominated by a relentless pursuit towards the abyss have led us to never doubt what they say or believe their promises and commitments, especially when fear crushes them, anxiety torments them, and they walk confidently on a path of inciting chauvinistic and extremist racist movements, contributing to the creation of hostility towards everything Kurdish.

A few days ago, Mr. Sobhi al-Tufayli, in his political arrogance, dared to call, with harsh words against the Kurds, for the “head of the Kurdish snake” to be cut off for Syria to enjoy stability. This comes while he ignores those who have deprived Syria of security, safety, stability, and reconstruction, forcing millions into displacement and exile, turning harmony into conflict and understanding into discord and disagreement, and exercising pressures to tighten the noose around the Syrians, subjecting them to capricious dictates and aligning with their projects.

I heard his speech (on January 3rd), and I recalled—and certainly many who followed the news of Mr. al-Tufayli (the first Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon since its founding in 1982) will remember—his enthusiasm for escalating tensions against everyone and his provocative political speech that stirred controversy. His recurrent, insincere justifications reveal a clear intent to plunge the region into clashes and ignite the flames of sectarian strife, using these conflicts outright for his agenda and project.

The ailment of Mr. al-Tufayli and similar figures stems from the same root: the failure to rely on logic, reason, reality, inference, and experience, coupled with an inability to analyze, interpret, and fulfill systematic responsibilities, while completely ignoring objective truths. Thus, all of his speeches are poisonous, trading in illusions, contrary to human nature, and politicizing Islam and the Islamization of politics. Through his rhetoric, he affirms that he does not differ from those who distort history and manipulate linguistic terms to propagate a culture of enmity towards everything Kurdish and Kurdistani, planning deeply to undermine Kurdish aspirations. He resembles those who committed crimes against peaceful Kurds and the sycophants of rulers who memorize excessive derogatory phrases about us to repeat them at every occasion, viewing us as the cause of all the problems and calamities befalling the Iraqis. He emulates the tyrants who attempted to distort the image of the Kurdish person, labeling him a rebel, traitor, and separatist, and he mirrors those who have forgotten and disregarded wise counsel. He does not differ from those who do not hesitate to direct weapons against the Kurds, showcasing their creativity in executing their criminal ambitions, applying pressure to tighten the noose around the Kurds and forcing them to submit to arbitrary dictates, while deftly combining destruction fueled by hatred with moral degradation aimed at furthering Saddam and his party.

Finally, we say: Such rhetoric does not encourage the purification of tension-filled atmospheres or restore trust, nor does it alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. It does not advocate for constructive dialogue and consultation or outline a clear future vision to determine the contours of Syria's future without the need to "cut off anyone's head" for political, sectarian, national, or religious purposes.

Sobhi Saleh

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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.