ICCROM Announces the Jury Committee of the Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young (2023-2024)
Award-winning projects will be unveiled in a special ceremony later this month in Sharjah
November 3, 2024, 1:29 pm

ICCROM Announces

Sharjah - United Arab Emirates, 2 November 2024 - The ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) Regional Centre in Sharjah is thrilled to announce the esteemed jury committee of the 3rd cycle of the prestigious Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young (2023-2024). This Award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to recognizing and supporting the exceptional talents of the Arab region's youth, who are the guardians of our rich cultural heritage.

The Award, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is the first competition of its kind that focuses on arts, heritage, and sustainable development and primarily targets the youths in the Arab region. The biannual Award is organized by the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, in cooperation with the National Commissions for UNESCO, schools, and educational institutions in the Arab Region, under the title 'Our heritage brings us together.'
ICCROM is proud to announce the distinguished members of the jury committee who will oversee the selection process for this year's Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young:

HE Aisha Deemas, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority since June 2023. She formerly held the Director of Executive Affairs position at Sharjah Museums Authority, where she participated in long-term planning and overall management of the services provided to all Sharjah museums under SMA. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor's in International Studies from the American University of Sharjah. She has 15+ years of experience in museum management.

HE Ayman Othman Al Barout, Secretary-General of the Arab Parliament for the Child (APC). He also works as a Parliamentary Affairs Advisor at the General Secretariat of the Consultative Council of Sharjah and as a Senior Researcher at the General Secretariat of the Federal National Council. He holds an Executive Master's in Public Administration from the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and a Bachelor's in Political Science from the United Arab Emirates University.
HE Abdulhamid Mohammed Al Yassi has been the director of the Youth Development Department at Sharjah Youth, part of Rubu' Qarn for creating future leaders and innovators since 2019. He holds a master’s degree in strategic human resource management and has more than 19 years of work experience. He currently oversees the design of programs that contribute to developing youth skills (ages 13 to 18) in various areas such as arts, literature and languages, science and technology, sports, and life skills through the eight Sharjah Youth Centres.
Dr. Noha Hilal Farran, Lebanese Historian, researcher, and academic and founder of the "Thinking Art Project," is dedicated to documenting artistic and cultural heritage. Editor-in-Chief of Al Tashkeel magazine, published by the Emirates Fine Arts Society with support from the Sharjah Department of Culture. She holds a Ph.D. in Art and Science of Arts with honors, a Master's in Visual Arts, a Master's in Philosophy and Art History, a Postgraduate Diploma in Art and Design, and a Bachelor's in Material Science and Engineering.
Mr. Hamid Khalfan Al Kindi is a certified international evaluator for institutional and individual excellence programs. He holds a master's degree in police administration with honors and is preparing for a doctorate degree. He has chaired many evaluation and arbitration committees in excellence programs and is a certified lecturer in leadership and institutional excellence.
This esteemed panel of experts, with their diverse academic backgrounds and extensive experience in the fields of arts, cultural heritage preservation, and management, recently convened to review all the entries submitted for the Award and select the winners in the four main categories: drawing, folkloric dance, awareness film, and photography. The winners will be officially announced at a special ceremony later this month in Sharjah. Additionally, training workshops in arts, photography, and directing will be held for all first, second, and third place winners in each category before the announcement ceremony.
The Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young was first held in 2020 to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage in the Arab region, spread the culture of safeguarding heritage through art, urge students to visit archaeological sites and translate their ideas about the concept of sustainable development and how to apply and enhance it through the arts.
Over the years, the Award has recognized and celebrated the remarkable achievements of young individuals and schools who have significantly contributed to preserving and promoting Arab cultural heritage. Past winners have showcased their dedication, creativity, and innovative approaches, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is a cultural hub generously supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. The office is a powerhouse of cultural heritage knowledge, specially created for widespread adoption in Arabic-speaking countries. Launched in 2012, ICCROM-Sharjah is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in the Arab region and broadening access, appreciation, and understanding of its rich history.

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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.