Th Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage begins in Sharjah 
May 30, 2023, 7:06 pm

Th Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage begins in Sharjah 

The forum discusses the concept of built environment (omran) and explores the role of communities in building cultural heritage resilience

29 May 2023 - Sharjah (United Arab Emirates): Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, the 4th Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage (2023) launched its activities, today, in Sharjah, UAE.

The three-day forum, organized by the Regional Office for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM-Sharjah), in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, will be held from 29 May to 1 June 2023 at ICCROM-Sharjah.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah; Dr John Robbins, Chairperson of the Council of ICCROM; and a number of regional and international experts interested in the field of preservation of cultural heritage in the Arab region attended the opening ceremony. Also in attendance were several representatives of diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates, media professionals, and activists in the fields of built environment, culture and cultural heritage in the region.

The 4th Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage sheds light on communities' accumulated knowledge in sustaining cultural heritage in the Arab region, and explores ways to activate this role in crisis preparedness, response and recovery; supports efficient risk management practices; and promotes community-centred approaches to achieve adequate humanitarian response and a sustainable future for the region’s cultural and historical heritage. The forum will also serve as a platform for interdisciplinary conversations to increase the resilience of cultural heritage and its recovery as a result of conflicts and climate change.

Dr Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM-Sharjah, stressed the timely importance of this forum. “There is no doubt that the theme of the forum, which was decided this year after extensive discussion with our local, regional and international partners, is extremely in line with the current needs, directions and priorities of regional countries that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The forum is also aligned with the vision and mission of ICCROM-Sharjah expressed through our many projects and activities implemented since the establishment of this office under the patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in 2012.”

Dr Aslan pointed out that this year's forum coincides with the ten-year anniversary of ICCROM-Sharjah. "More than ten years after its establishment, ICCROM-Sharjah has become a reference institution for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage in the Arab region. This has been achieved through regional activities that meet the needs and priorities of our Member States, and building bridges of communication and collaboration among them,” Dr Aslan added.

Dr John Robbins remarked, “We are here this week to probe the intersection of three important concepts in cultural heritage. One concept is very old — omran or, loosely translated, the built environment — and two concepts that are contemporary — resiliency and community-based care for cultural heritage.” He continued, “The concept of the built environment as cultural heritage has ancient roots in our religious, social and artistic values. The concepts of resiliency and community-based are very much of our own time, and this conference highlights the urgency of addressing the intersection of these three topics.”

The Director General of ALECSO, Dr Mohamed Ould Amar, echoed Dr Robbins, saying, “The topic of the forum reflects the importance of the results reached by research and related studies. It addresses one of the oldest concepts that humanity has known in organizing the forms of life and stability, the built environment (omran). It focuses on the theories, ideas and approaches around it, on top of which is the one that this forum addresses: the culture of the built environment (omran) and heritage resilience.”

Dr Abdulaziz Almusallam, Chair of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, spoke about the close link between the topic of the forum and the Emirate of Sharjah's efforts to preserve and revive historical buildings and heritage sites through protection and restoration works that affected the emirate's landmarks, heritage houses, popular markets, mosques and schools. "This forum comes as an embodiment of Sharjah's vision in this regard, and in line with its directions in preserving urban heritage and reviving spatial memory, which contribute to providing urgent preservation of heritage monuments and buildings on the verge of collapse," he stated.

Dr Dena Assaf, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the United Arab Emirates, expres

Saint Francis of Assisi: How his fascination has touched lives for over 800 years 4th Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage concluded with a set of recommendations 

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.