Projects from 12 Arab countries compete for the ICCROM-Sharjah Award 2023-2024
Record participation in the award highlights growing awareness of the importance of cultural heritage in the region, a positive indicator for the future of efforts to protect Arab identity
September 28, 2024, 11:52 pm

Projects from 12 Arab countries compete for the ICCROM-Sharjah Award 2023-2024

مشاريع من 12 دولة عربية تتنافس على جائزة إيكروم-الشارقة 2023-2024 \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

The ICCROM Regional Office in Sharjah has announced the shortlist of projects nominated for the fourth cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Protection in the Arab Region (2023-2024).

The list includes 18 outstanding projects from 12 Arab countries: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, and Yemen.

Mr. Nasser Al-Darmaki, Deputy Director of the ICCROM Regional Office in Sharjah, stated: "The current cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices has achieved a remarkable presence and was distinguished by the participation of a large number of projects, reaching a record number not achieved in previous cycles."

He added: "In this cycle, the award received 51 projects from various parts of the Arab region. Undoubtedly, this great response confirms the increasing awareness and commitment to the necessity of preserving cultural heritage in the region on one hand, and the importance of highlighting the efforts made within this framework on the other."

The nominated projects are notably diverse, including digital documentation initiatives such as the "Documentation of Rock Art in Sharjah" project from the UAE, and the "Digital Documentation as a Decision-Making Tool in Heritage Conservation" project from Bahrain.

The list also includes traditional restoration projects such as "Restoration of Dar Toukan" in Palestine, and the "Restoration and Reinforcement Project of the Omari Mosque in Daraa City" in Syria.

Projects combining heritage preservation and sustainable development are also prominent on the list, such as the "Hospitable Town of Al-Eizariya" project in Palestine, and the "Conservation and Adaptive Reuse of Traditional Structures and Open Spaces in Misfat Al-Abriyeen" project in Oman.

Notably, the award includes projects from countries experiencing difficult circumstances, such as the "Rescue Project for the Folklore Museum in Sana'a" in Yemen, and the "Cultural Heritage Management in Libya" project, emphasizing the importance of heritage preservation even in times of crisis.

The list also includes unique projects such as "Preservation of Cinematic Cultural Heritage" from Lebanon, and "Legacy of a Lexicon: Management, Conservation, and Documentation of Ahmed Pasha Kamal's Dictionary" from Egypt, highlighting the diversity of cultural heritage forms in the Arab region.

The winners of the fourth cycle of the award will be announced at a special ceremony held in Sharjah in late November of this year. A grand prize for good practices in cultural heritage conservation and protection will be awarded, along with two appreciation awards in the fields of community engagement and conservation and innovation.

This biennial award, granted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, serves as a platform to highlight exceptional efforts in cultural heritage preservation in the Arab region. It aims to encourage innovation and excellence in this vital field and to promote awareness of the importance of heritage preservation as an essential part of the region's cultural identity.

It's worth noting that the ICCROM Regional Office in Sharjah, established in 2012, is an important source of knowledge related to cultural heritage in the Arab region. The center works to expand access to, appreciation of, and understanding of the region's rich history, contributing to efforts to preserve Arab cultural heritage for future generations.

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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.