"Red Carpet" Sparks Controversy in Ahmad al-Shara's Reception
May 7, 2025, 5:57 pm

سجادة حمراء

On Wednesday evening, the world's attention shifted to Paris as Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara arrived for his first official visit to the West since assuming leadership in Syria. This visit is considered a historic moment with significant political implications, especially as it comes after a long crisis and a lack of communication with the West. It is his first stop following his inauguration.

While the official talks on sensitive topics such as reconstruction, economic cooperation in energy and aviation sectors, security challenges, and the situation in Lebanon are of great importance, controversy has intensified over al-Shara's reception. The "red carpet" laid out for him has sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many arguing that such a form of greeting does not reflect the expected level of respect for a head of state of a sovereign country.

In diplomatic terms, protocols for welcoming presidents in France are among the most rigorous traditions. They include precise official ceremonies that start with the president’s arrival at the Élysée Palace, accompanied by formal salutes, followed by private meetings to discuss bilateral relations, and then an official dinner attended by senior figures from the French government.

Official visits also typically involve signing cooperation agreements across various fields, adhering to strict protocol standards such as punctuality, formal dress code, and the use of the French language during meetings.

Regardless of the reactions to the manner of the reception, the visit remains a clear political message—opening a new chapter in the relations between Syria and France—while balancing diplomatic traditions with popular and media considerations.

Pakistani Cabinet Orders Military to Respond to Indian Attacks Trump Burns the World in One Hundred Days: The Modern Deep State Swallows the Old Regime

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.”