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Widespread Controversy in Libya Following Decision to Ban New Year Celebrations

The Libyan government's decision to ban New Year celebrations has sparked widespread controversy in the country, with authorities threatening legal penalties for violators. In eastern Libya, relevant authorities issued a decree to pursue and punish anyone celebrating the new year and to detain those who display signs of celebration.
The municipal guard in Benghazi announced that they would launch intensive inspection campaigns on stores selling celebration supplies, resulting in the seizure of decoration materials and items related to the New Year in one of the stores, which were confiscated immediately. Guard members warned all merchants against selling these goods, citing "violations of Islamic law," and confirmed that they would take legal action against offenders.
For his part, MP Saleh Afhima expressed his support for the decision, considering it part of preserving the Islamic identity of the Libyan state. He noted that Libya is a Muslim country with no other religions present, while emphasizing the importance of coexistence and freedom of worship.
Conversely, MP Bulaqsim Qzeet condemned the link between celebrations and a religious perspective, pointing out that many communities worldwide celebrate the New Year for reasons related to joy and festivity, without religious implications. Qzeet asserted that various nationalities are present in Libya and have the right to celebrate, arguing that security forces focus on regulating these celebrations while ignoring larger issues such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.
Reactions to this decision continue to emerge, and it seems that the discussion regarding the balance between religious values and social joy will persist in igniting debate within Libyan circles.
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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