Rouquia Alami

The displacement of Palestinians who were forced into exile and became refugees in other countries was a result of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948. Nevertheless, some Palestinians have remained in Occupied Palestine and are known as “1948 Arab Palestinians”.

No matter where Palestinians live, wherever they go, whatever they are entitled to, they are refugees, displaced, imprisoned, living in the exile or living inland; Palestine was and always be in their conscience and is reflected in their art, literature, geography, history, heritage and every other aspect in life. This includes the uncountable efforts going towards retaining the Palestinian identity, an ongoing act as a main form of resistance.

The Palestinian land was preserved and protected from being forgotten by generations of Palestinians through storytelling and continuous recitation of folklore and heritage.

Raed Hawari, a Palestinian critic and writer, states:

"Literature has continued to maintain its importance throughout history, as an authentic material for what nations and peoples have experienced. From here, we find Palestinian literature dealing with the issues and concerns of Palestine and its people, whether through poetry, oral and written stories, novel, or article."

This subject is reflected in the newly released book "Over Haifa Balcony."

Over Haifa Balcony a new book, released August 2023, by author Hassan Abbadi, is a collection of stories, published by Al Ruaa for Studies & Publishing in Ramallah.

When I posed the question to him: "Are those stories actual and happening or are they imagined?

“Abbadi replied:

"There are stories that are real and others that are based on the reality of our Palestinian society. Its events have taken place, are taking place, and will take place in the future."

The stories in the book recount many stages that the Palestinian people went through: the Nakba, the first Intifada, and the suffering of Palestinians revolve around and within their land in Palestine.

The story entitled: Abed Taltlim (taltlim means curly hair) describes the reality of the suffering of the Palestinian people: the confiscation of their land by the occupier that resulted banning them to cultivate in their own properties.

"Abed moved from his peaceful village in Algalill to live in Haifa after his family's lands were completely confiscated, and therefore were prevented from cultivation, as a result Abed's father died of grief over this loss."

The characters’ stories Abed, Hussein, Hassan, Bahja, Khader, Um firas, Mimi and Kefah, emphasize the attachment to the soil of their country, the heritage of the daily inherited customs attached to the land, like picking grapes, drying them to get raisins, and the daily food customs like baking pastries with Za'atar (thyme) and cooking a'koub, both Za'atar and a'koub are plants growing in the wilderness of Palestine and known to be one of main traditional food.

Samira Abbadi, the writer's wife, explained the relationship of the collection towards the balcony of their own house in Haifa; reflections that gave birth to these stories:

"From this balcony, we unleashed ideas that were trapped, thereafter, developed into stories, some of them made us laugh, others made us sad and painful. These short stories accumulate the bitterness of anguished population".

According to Palestinian writer Feras Haj Mohammed:

"The book contains 38 short stories and very short ones; it deals with multiple social, political national and cultural topics.

The characters in these stories belong to the world of the marginalized and common people. The dialogues relied on the popular heritage expressions and proverbs; that came in harmony with the themes of the stories.

The book cover is designed by Palestinian artist Thafter Shorbaji whereas the stories are designed by paints illustrated by Palestinian artists:

Yousef Al-Iraqi and Fouad Aghbariya. Including images of landmarks from Jerusalem, destroyed and abandoned towns and cemetery

Palestinian villages photographs reinforced the text, sights from Palestine, were captured by Shaden Abbadi, Muhammad Hibbi and Raif Musa Higazi cameras."

Example proverbs and expressions that are used in everyday life in the Palestinian society, as a symbol of popular heritage were used in the story and reassure the existence of Palestinians in their homeland, such as:

On your cheeks, only use the mud of your own country soil.

‎The homeland is precious, Bahja‎

This land has its own owners.

The Haifawi Hassan Abbadi is a lawyer, human rights advocate, and cultural activist; born, in 1959, and has lived his entire life in the occupied city of Haifa; well-known as a supporter of the literature of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Combined with his own efforts, he is the creator of the initiative:

"For every prisoner, a book" and "From every prisoner, a book.”

A project that aims to deliver books to prisoners; its other part includes facilitating the production of books written by Palestinian prisoners and authors.

In addition to his diverse agendas, he is working to enhance the Arabic culture in the “1948 Arab Palestinian” society, mostly in his book highlights the reality of Arab Palestinian people of 1948.

Balcony over Haifa, is his fifth book, previously he published:

Eva Shatal Hamed

Umaima Did not Leave the hill

Our Thyme is Green

Writing by the Candlelight

To me, after reading the book, I felt different emotions generated by the stories. Some are sad; others are funny. In conclusion, all stories point to liberation from the occupation that will lead to the return to Palestine.

Yet, for one, a beautiful view from the balcony of Haifa, a terrace that had witnessed whatever was, whatever will be, looking over the occupied Haifa city.

Rouquia Alami

Joint Statement on Recent Unrest in Deir Ezzor US politicians speak to Druze leader Sheikh Al Hajari as anti-Assad protests continue

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.