Forty Years after the Stolen Revolution
February 17, 2020, 4:00 am

Mohammed Khalil

The Iranian revolution against the Shah’s rule was not a pure religious one. The basis of the revolution was the economic hardship that people suffered at the time. The forces that contributed to the revolution were not confined to the clergy only, there were other forces, liberal, nationalist, and leftist, and these forces had a major and effective role in the revolution, but what happened after the Shah’s regime fell is that the religious current led by Khomeini stole the revolution and turned against the forces that participated in it, and instead of building a modern country, the Shiite clerics established the Republic of Wilayat al-Faqih.

Forty years later, the Iranians are back on the streets, demanding an improvement in their economic conditions. In a country that is assumed to be a rich one, at least 15% of its population lives below the poverty line of $ 8 a day, the unemployment rate reaches about 13% according to official government statistics, prices rise every day, the purchasing power decreases, and making people’s living conditions more difficult.

The Iranian regime put its people in this difficult economic situation as a result of its policies at the local and international levels. This regime devoted state resources to achieving its dreams of controlling its neighbors and creating a sectarian empire. The result was that Iran has become an enemy of many countries in the region and the world, and has been subjected to economic sanctions.

The regime spent the wealth and resources of the Iranian people to arm militias loyal to it in a number of countries, and to build a military arsenal, and it forgot to invest in people's lives and their future. Moreover, this regime faced the demands of people with iron fist and authoritarian rule, and pushed people onto the streets again.

Forty years ago, the Shah’s regime fell despite having many friends internationally, and these friendships did not help him in the face of the people's anger. The current regime in Iran does not have friends, and the anger of the people is increasing every day, and the result of this equation is known, this regime has no choice but to submit to the demands of the people or to leave.

The mullahs stole the revolution, stole the dreams of the Iranians of a bright future, and practiced all kinds of repression and oppression against the Iranian people. On the fortieth anniversary of the kidnapping of the revolution, the Iranians are chanting in the streets, cities and villages against this regime, and as we all know, “power to the people”.

By: Mohammed Khalil

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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.