Controversy Surrounds Justice Minister: Maher al-Wais and Power Struggles in Syria
April 9, 2025, 4:00 pm

Controversy Surrounds Justice Minister: Maher al-Wais and Power Struggles in Syria

مصالحة وطنية

Amid rising political tensions in Syria, the name of Justice Minister Dr. Maher al-Wais emerges, described by some circles as "Salafi, jihadist, Taliban-like." His opponents consider him a controversial figure that embodies the peak of the power struggle in the country.

The handshake between al-Wais and Judge Ammar Bilal, one of the prominent defenders of the former president and his regime, comes as an interesting episode in this context, sparking varied reactions regarding the nature of their relationship.

Ammar Bilal is known for his role as head of the public prosecution at the Counter-Terrorism Court, where he has not hesitated to use his powers to relentlessly pursue revolutionaries and opponents of the previous regime. Many Syrian citizens who opposed the fallen regime faced harassment and legal prosecution at Bilal's hands during his tenure.

For example, Aref al-Shehal recalls that in late 2014, he was referred to court by the regional intelligence branch, accused of promoting terrorist acts without any evidence, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. Consequently, he was banned from traveling, and his movable and immovable assets were seized, reflecting the reality of legal violations experienced by dozens under this regime.

The interactions between these figures raise further questions about the future of power in Syria and whether these alliances will lead to the promotion of justice and accountability, or if they will continue to reinforce previously dominant authorities.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”