Terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between Al-Hijri and the Syrian Administration
March 12, 2025, 2:13 pm

Terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between Al-Hijri and the Syrian Administration

الشرع والهجري

The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, Hikmat Al-Hijri, has reached a “ten-point understanding” with the new Syrian administration in Damascus, primarily aimed at "operating institutions" and addressing issues of concern to citizens in the Suwaida province.

Details of this understanding were revealed through a document published by several local news networks following a meeting held between Al-Hijri and the Syrian administration's envoy to Suwaida, Mustafa Al-Bakur, at the "Dar Qanawat" on Wednesday. The meeting was also attended by several figures who participated in the recent "National Dialogue Conference" held in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Content of the "Memorandum of Understanding

According to the "Memorandum of Understanding," the Syrian administration committed to implementing several clauses in cooperation with the people of Suwaida, including "immediately activating the judicial authority, enhancing the police and security file within the Ministry of Interior, and organizing defecting officers and individuals and all armed factions within the Ministry of Defense."

The understanding also included "the immediate payment of all overdue salaries for employees, and reconsideration of all those dismissed from work before December 8, 2024, with priority for employment for those who were arbitrarily dismissed before this date."

Additionally, the "Memorandum of Understanding" stipulated the "reform of state institutions from a financial and administrative perspective, and expediting the appointment of members of the temporary executive office to address employees' affairs," along with clauses related to "maintaining civil peace, preventing encroachments on public and private property, and removing violations on state property and roads within a studied plan."

The signatories of the understanding considered themselves a "follow-up committee" for its implementation, emphasizing the necessity of "continuing consultation and finding solutions for any new developments or issues not covered" in the memorandum.

Despite this, the "Memorandum of Understanding" is considered the first public step connecting Sheikh Al-Hijri with the new Syrian administration in Damascus. However, some journalists who spoke to the "Al-Hurra" website noted that "it cannot be considered a comprehensive agreement."

In this context, journalist Diyaa Al-Sahnaoui stated that the mentioned clauses have been worked on for three months and are still valid. He added, "What happened was the documentation of the clauses in a complete document between Sheikh Al-Hijri and representatives of the new administration."

For his part, Rayan Maarouf, editor-in-chief of the "Suwaida 24" network, highlighted that "the Memorandum of Understanding denies the existence of an absolute rift" between Al-Hijri, the spiritual presidency, and the new Syrian administration. He pointed out that "the Memorandum of Understanding is not a comprehensive agreement or a final solution, but rather an understanding that includes a series of requests from the new administration that were presented in the presence of Al-Hijri."

Iraq Takes Steps to Pursue Those Who Assaulted Syrian Workers Amid Rising Sectarian Rhetoric The Issue of the State in Contemporary Islamic Political Thought (1 – 3)

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.