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Diversity as the Foundation of Unity in the Upcoming Federal Syria

When the Syrian revolution broke out, its initial demands were to overthrow the Assad family regime, which ruled the country with an iron fist and turned it into a family enterprise. These demands represented a popular desire to break free from the mentality of the one-party system and totalitarian thought, which led to tyranny and dictatorship and repressed dissenting voices.
However, the period following the fall of the regime revealed new challenges to building a new Syria, as voices emerged seeking to return to chauvinistic and racist models of governance that led to the suppression of Syria's rich diversity.
Everyone knows that Syria is characterized by its mosaic diversity, comprising various ethnicities and sects, including Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, Druze, Alawites, Christians, and others. Yet, the Ba'ath regime entrenched the idea over many years that Syria is exclusively Arab, marginalizing minorities and excluding their rights. Repressive policies aimed to obliterate the identities of these components, especially the Kurds, by preventing them from learning their mother tongue and depriving them of fundamental rights such as nationality and property.
Historically, the Kurdish people lived in Syria under difficult conditions of marginalization and exclusion and were the most subjected to the policies of the Ba'ath regime, which used the party as a tool to instill chauvinism in the minds of Syrian Arabs. As a result, Kurds suffered discrimination in all aspects of life, from education to employment, in addition to policies aimed at changing the demographic composition of their regions through projects like the Arab Belt, which involved settling Arab populations in Kurdish areas to erase Kurdish identity.
In light of all this, the Kurdish uprising in 2004 demonstrated how these repressive policies were a major catalyst for the emergence of the political Kurdish movement, which demanded recognition of Kurdish cultural and political rights and the right to citizenship. Despite the brutal repression faced by Kurds during this uprising, it succeeded in shedding light on their suffering and raising awareness among other components of the Syrian people about their plight.
With the onset of the Syrian revolution in 2011, a new opportunity arose for all components of the Syrian people to demand their rights and rebuild Syria on the foundations of justice and freedom. The initial popular movement expressed the aspirations of all Syrians for a democratic state that respects pluralism and guarantees individual rights. As events escalated, the revolution became an opportunity for Kurds and other minorities to demand their legitimate rights that had been marginalized for decades.
However, after the regime's downfall, it became essential to search for a governance system that guarantees representation for all and prevents a return to oppressive practices. In this context, the idea of federalism emerged as an option that ensures coexistence among all Syrian components, allowing each group to manage its internal affairs while maintaining the unity of the state. This model is considered optimal for countries with ethnic and sectarian diversity, as it balances between the center and the regions and distributes power in a way that ensures everyone’s effective participation.
Despite this balanced and appropriate model of federalism in line with Syrian diversity, the concept faces rejection from some segments of Syrian society, where federalism is associated with division and separation. This misconception is a result of a political culture entrenched by authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. However, federalism, in its essence, means unity and cohesion; it is a modern political system that achieves a balance between respecting local particularities and maintaining the unity of the state.
In Syria, a federal system can ensure the rights of all components and dissolve the wall of hatred and animosity built by the previous regime. Federalism also allows each component to manage its local resources and develop its community, while preserving national sovereignty on major issues such as defense and foreign policy.
Therefore, achieving federalism in Syria requires practical steps starting with raising awareness about the concept of federalism and its benefits. Political elites and intellectuals must work to change negative perceptions about federalism through comprehensive national dialogues that bring together all segments of Syrian society. Additionally, federalism should be included as a constitutional option in discussions about Syria's future, ensuring fair representation for all components in managing the affairs of the country.
Alongside adopting a federal system, Syria needs to achieve transitional justice to overcome decades of oppression and injustice. This requires acknowledging the grievances suffered by minorities, particularly the Kurdish people, and compensating them for the violations they endured. Serious steps must also be taken to change the political culture instilled by the Ba'ath regime, which was based on chauvinism and discrimination.
Transitional justice includes holding accountable those responsible for the crimes and violations committed against the Syrian people across all its segments and working towards building strong national institutions based on the principle of citizenship and respect for human rights. There should also be steps to reform the educational and media systems to spread values of tolerance and coexistence among community components.
Thus, to convince Syrian society of the viability of federalism, one can draw on successful international experiences that adopted this model and achieved.
Ezzeddin Malla
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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