Solidarity Protest in Front of the UK Foreign Office Supporting Sweida Province and the Druze Component in Syria
May 6, 2025, 5:53 pm

Solidarity Protest in Front of the UK Foreign Office Supporting Sweida Province and the Druze Component in Syria

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Civil activists from Sweida Province organized a solidarity protest on Monday, May 5, 2025, in front of the British Foreign Office headquarters in London. The protest involved a number of Druze community members from Syria and the diaspora, alongside Syrian activists from various regions and affiliations.

This demonstration comes amid the serious escalation faced by the Druze community, especially in Sweida, Jaramana, Sahnaya, and the Ashrafiyeh Sahnaya area in Rural Damascus, marked by grave violations, killings based on identity, as well as the spread of hate speech and sectarian incitement in media and social networks.

Participants raised photos of the martyrs of "Al-Fuz'a" (helping each other), who fell defending Sweida, emphasizing unity of blood and destiny. They also sent clear messages to the international community, especially the United Kingdom, calling for urgent action to protect civilians and stop violations. The main demands included:

1. An immediate call to halt all forms of assaults, violations, incitement, and systematic violence against the Druze community.

2. Ensuring the reopening of the Sweida–Damascus road, considering it the only lifeline for the province, and rejecting its use as a political pressure card, while guaranteeing the safe flow of humanitarian aid and citizen movement.

3. Establishing a joint fact-finding committee (Syrian–UN) to investigate violations, hold those responsible accountable, and provide compensation to the victims.

4. Opening a safe humanitarian corridor between Jordan and Sweida to meet the basic needs of the local community.

5. Putting an end to incitement, sectarian, and regional rhetoric of all forms. Holding those involved in incitement or committing violations accountable, with calls to enact laws criminalizing such speech, and obliging religious and societal authorities to promote a culture of tolerance and mutual respect. They also emphasized strengthening a comprehensive national discourse throughout Syria via media, religious platforms, and social channels.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to a unified Syrian identity, rejected all forms of discrimination, and underscored the right of all Syrians to equal citizenship, dignity, and justice.

Sources: Al-Shar'a Requests U.S. Guarantees to Attend Baghdad Summit Solidarity Protest in Front of the UK Foreign Office Supporting Sweida Province and the Druze Component in Syria

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.”