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Syrian Democratic Council Rejects Transitional Constitution and Considers it a Threat to the Country's Future
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Considering Islamic Sharia as the main source of legislation in the new constitution raises concerns among minorities and reinforces challenges to building a political system inclusive of Syria's dive

The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), launched a sharp attack on the constitutional declaration presented by the drafting committee to the Syrian Interim Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, describing it as "the most dangerous for Syria's future."
The council confirmed in a statement that "the Syrian constitution for the transitional period is illegitimate and inconsistent with the principles of democracy and pluralism, but rather reinforces hegemony and pushes the country toward chaos," emphasizing that the new constitutional document is "more dangerous than the Baath Party constitution, as it reproduces authoritarianism with a different facade."
The statement considered that the constitution "was prepared by only one faction, which is the Sunni Islamic faction, in a clear exclusion of the rest of the Syrian people's components," warning that "imposing Islamic Sharia as a main source of legislation undermines individual freedoms and makes citizens' rights restricted according to a specific intellectual vision."
The Syrian Democratic Council emphasized that "this constitution grants Syrians only the right to life, while they are stripped of their other basic rights, such as freedom of opinion, political participation, and equality among all citizens."
In a related context, the council told Sky News Arabia on Thursday that the Syrian Interim Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa "is repeating what" former President Bashar al-Assad "used to do," adding that "the Syrian constitution for the transitional period is illegitimate and does not comply with the agreement between Al-Sharaa and the SDF commander." The council clarified that "highlighting Sharia in state administration takes the country toward chaos."
For its part, the Self-Administration joined the front of those rejecting the constitutional declaration, considering it "incompatible" with Syria's diversity and including articles similar to the Baath Party rule era.
The Self-Administration added that the declaration is devoid of "its various components from Kurds to even Arabs," indicating that it "includes articles and a traditional pattern similar to the standards and measures followed by the Baath government" that ruled the country for decades.
The drafting committee of the constitutional declaration in Syria had submitted, on Thursday, the draft declaration to the Syrian Interim Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. One of the committee members confirmed, during the handover ceremony at the People's Palace in Damascus, that "the declaration stipulates the rights of opinion and expression," adding "we maintained the requirement that Islamic jurisprudence is the main source of legislation."
The member continued: "The country will remain committed to human rights agreements it has signed... and emphasize the state's commitment to the unity of land and people," highlighting that "the transitional phase lasts 5 years... and Syria is committed to the independence of the judiciary and the complete separation of powers."
The committee member revealed that "the declaration of a state of emergency is controlled by the approval of the National Security Council and its extension is subject to the approval of the People's Council," adding: "The People's Council assumes the legislative process and the President of the Republic assumes the executive power... leaving the matter of dismissing, separating, or reducing the president's powers to the People's Council."
He also explained that work was done "on dissolving the existing constitutional court," confirming that "the committee worked in a space of freedom without restriction."
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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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