King Charles pledges ‘additional duty’ to protect faith diversity of U.K.
September 17, 2022, 8:51 am

King Charles pledges ‘additional duty’ to protect faith diversity of U.K.

King Charles III has addressed faith leaders from across the United Kingdom at a reception in Buckingham Palace this afternoon - The Royal Family official Twitter account

King Charles III has pledged to uphold the “additional duty” as a new monarch of protecting the diversity of the U.K. and be a sovereign of all communities around the Commonwealth.

Addressing a group of faith leaders on Friday evening in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace, where just days before his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lay in rest before its final journey to Westminster Hall, the 73-year-old royal said he has always thought of Britain as a “community of communities”.

As a committed Anglican Christian, Charles said he believed in protecting the space for all faiths, building on the foundation laid by his “beloved mother”.

“I have always thought of Britain as a community of communities,” the King said in an address to around 30 faith leaders invited to the palace.

“That has led me to understand that the sovereign has an additional duty – less formally recognised but to be no less diligently discharged. It is the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practise through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals,” he said.

“I am determined, as King, to preserve and promote those principles across all communities, and for all beliefs, with all my heart.”

The King has addressed faith leaders from across the United Kingdom at a reception in Buckingham Palace this afternoon. https://t.co/bbt5MZmJZo pic.twitter.com/LpE4UxjXCh
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 16, 2022

“This diversity is not just enshrined in the laws of our country, it is enjoined by my own faith,” he said.

The King noted that at his coronation, expected next year, he will take an oath relating to the “settlement of the Church of England” and on his accession, he has already followed in the footsteps of other monarchs in history by taking an oath which pledges to maintain and preserve the Protestant faith in Scotland.

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However, as a member of the Church of England, he said his Christian beliefs have love at their very heart and he feels bound to respect those who follow other spiritual paths, as well as those who seek to live their lives in accordance with secular ideals.

“The beliefs that flourish in, and contribute to, our richly diverse society differ. They, and our society, can only thrive through a clear collective commitment to those vital principles of freedom of conscience, generosity of spirit and care for others which are, to me, the essence of our nationhood,” he said.

“I am determined, as King, to preserve and promote those principles across all communities, and for all beliefs, with all my heart,” he added.

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Among those present at the gathering included priests of the Catholic church, Greek Orthodox church, and Church of Scotland as well as the Head Rabbi of London and a Zoroastrian priest.

Soon after the reception, Charles made his way to observe a vigil by the coffin of the late Queen, who is Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall in London until her state funeral on Monday. At the vigil, he was joined by his younger siblings – Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward.

Source: g7tamil

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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.