-
"Abaq Volunteer Team" Confirm They Were Not Detained... and Deny Rumors of Members' Arrest
-
The incident calls for the need to promote concepts of tolerance and pluralism within a system that protects civil peace and ensures accountability and transparency

Recent photos of volunteers from the "Abaq" team, which sparked wide controversy in recent days, have spread on social media platforms, refuting circulating rumors about their detention over the controversial "Iftar for fasting" campaign, in a development that highlights the absence of institutional accountability mechanisms in Syrian regions.
The circulating photo shows a number of members of the volunteer team in rural Aleppo gathered in a public place, while the publisher of the photo wrote a sarcastic comment: "They said we were arrested" accompanied by the hashtag "returning" with a laughing emoji, reflecting the continuing state of controversy about practices that threaten civil peace.
The "Abaq" volunteer team had ignited a wave of widespread discontent in Syria following its organization of the "Iftar for fasting" campaign, where statements of a sectarian and inciting nature appeared on the covers of the distributed meals, in behavior that contradicts the principles of equal citizenship.
According to a video circulated through the team's official Facebook page, team volunteers appeared while distributing iftar meals to passersby, while the covers of these meals carried offensive statements of a sectarian nature.
A number of activists warned that this behavior fuels hate speech and incites violence, calling for the team responsible for the campaign to be held accountable and for legal measures to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such practices that threaten the social fabric.
Following the wave of harsh criticism that the video attracted, the "Abaq" team took the initiative to remove the footage, in an attempt to reduce the severity of the crisis.
Activists urged the establishment of an investigation committee to follow up on the case, emphasizing the necessity of suspending the team's activity until the completion of investigations and the application of legal procedures against those responsible, which reflects the need for effective regulatory institutions that protect diversity and prevent incitement.
The "Abaq" volunteer team issued an apology statement in which it acknowledged taking full responsibility for the mistake, confirming that its intention was not to provoke sedition or incitement.
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
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.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!