Libyans Reject Return of Morality Police: A Restriction on Personal Freedoms
The announcement of morality police's return in Libya reflects sharp social division between supporters of personal freedoms and those calling for restrictions under the pretext of protecting values
November 7, 2024, 7:51 pm

Libyans Reject Return of Morality Police: A Restriction on Personal Freedoms

ليبيا

The Interior Minister of Libya's Government of National Unity, Emad Al-Tarabulsi, sparked intense social debate in recent hours following his announcement to resume "morality police operations in streets to confront behaviors violating society's traditions".

During a media interview Wednesday, Tarabulsi announced that morality police patrols would resume duties next month, confirming they would address "strange" haircuts and youth clothing that contradicts society's customs and traditions. He emphasized requiring women to wear modest clothing in public spaces and called on the Education Ministry to mandate hijab for female students.

He addressed banning women's travel without a male guardian, noting the need to activate female police to deter women's immoral behaviors and prevent mixed-gender presence in cafes and public places.

He continued with threats to detain violators and raid homes if people are proven involved in immoral acts, adding that those "seeking personal freedom should go to Europe."

These statements sparked widespread debate among Libyans on social media platforms, between supporters of the decision "to limit moral deterioration in society" as described, and opponents who see it as a restriction on freedoms and regression.

Libyan activist Amira Youssef expressed her position saying, "There's a difference between maintaining public morals and imposing ISIS laws," addressing the Interior Minister: "We are against nudity, vulgarity, drugs, alcohol, and corruption of all kinds and anything affecting public morals, but imposing specific clothing on young girls, preventing women from traveling without a guardian, preventing us from eating in public places, and saying that whoever seeks personal freedom should go to Europe - it remains only to declare that Libya is an extension of ISIS until the international community and human rights organizations intervene to express their positions."

A Facebook blogger considered the statements tragic, describing them as "an attempt to spread and impose extremist thought in schools, curricula, and streets." Blogger Sanad Al-Shami denounced the decision, considering that "sound thinking doesn't need a stick or morality police to establish it, but requires directing state capabilities, budget, and priorities towards education."

Other citizens questioned why the focus isn't on combating corruption, expired goods, and pursuing public funds plunderers. A minority of Libyans supported "returning morality police to work," considering it "a step in the right direction after corruption spread and values were transgressed."

Libya has witnessed since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011 a state of turmoil, lack of security, and political confusion, amid the country's division between two authorities in the east and west.

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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.