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Political Islam: Decline in the Middle East … Expansion in Europe

Political Islam in Europe lives its best times in conjunction with its retreat in the cradle of Islam, namely, the Middle East and North Africa. The massive Muslim communities in Western Europe, that constitute the incubator of political Islam, is not the only reason behind the birth and growth of various groups that adopt the ideology of political Islam, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood. Likewise, the problem is not only related to the method of religiosity followed in major mosques and religious centres scattered in Europe. However, there are fundamental reasons linked to the European policies themselves.
First: The European Union countries do not adopt a single position on political Islam. On the contrary, there are several positions ranging from flexibility, moderation, and firmness. This indicates the absence of European consensus on this phenomenon, which is considered a threat to the stability of European societies.
Second: The official policies of European states still differentiate between the Muslim Brotherhood organisation, on the one hand, and the rest of Islamic organisations and factions that engage in acts of violence and terrorism, on the other hand. Note that the Muslim Brotherhood is considered the main root and pedigree of all other Islamic terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra, ISIS, Khorasan, and others.
Third: In some major European countries, the Muslim Brotherhood organisation still enjoys exceptional sponsor and support, even though those countries are aware of the dangerous roots of this organisation and that other terrorist groups are nothing but complements and new versions of the Muslim Brotherhood. Even some administrations in Western countries consider the Muslim Brotherhood to represent moderate Islam! On this basis, these countries supported the uprisings of the so-called Arab Spring in 2011, which led to the Muslim Brotherhood taking power in those countries for a period.
What is required of the EU and UK in this regard is to adopt a single policy to fight and eradicate political Islam in Europe. For example, all political Islam organisations in Europe, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, should be outlawed. Pursuing all foreign-funded centres and imams to disengage these centres from abroad, which are hostile to Europe. Imposing severe sanctions on countries that sponsor and finance political Islam groups, such as Turkey and Qatar. Adopting more realistic and dynamic policies regarding the integration of Muslim communities into European societies. Fighting the European extreme right in parallel with fighting political Islam groups.
If the EU and Britain do not take potent measures against political Islam groups, especially the terrorist organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, Europe will witness in the future more terrorist operations and thus more instability. Especially, since the United States has given another golden opportunity to political Islam groups in the whole world through its chaotic and arbitrary withdrawal from Afghanistan and handing it on a diamond platter to the terrorist Taliban movement.
by: Jwan Dibo

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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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