Latest news with #MohammadBarakat
L'Orient-Le Jour
a day ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Mohammad Barakat accuses Hezbollah of threatening his family
Activist Mohammad Barakat, a well-known critic of Hezbollah, accused the leadership of Hezbollah on Thursday of "waging an open war against [his] family." Speaking to L'Orient Today Friday, Barakat said that his sister-in-law was 'surrounded by a group of women in Hay al-Selom in the southern suburbs of Beirut Thursday while she was visiting her family who told her: 'Isn't your husband Mohamad Barakat's brother? What are you doing here?'' According to Barakat, on the same day, while his father was taking a walk near his house in Aramoun, a man came to him and told him that he 'reads my work on Facebook and what I write' and warned him that 'he knows where he lives.' Barakat said that ARTE, the French-German channel, where filming with one of his team's members in Nabatieh, Mahmoud Shoeib, when the crew was stopped by a checkpoint for Hezbollah, their phones and footage were checked, including investigating the team of journalists, despite the team having an approval from the Lebanese Army to film.' On the same day, another member of his team was allegedly threatened to be killed 'along with his family in Baalbeck, the person wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.' 'Hezbollah's incitement campaign has reached the point of attacking women and children' In a post on his X account, the editor-in-chief of the news website Asas Media called on the president, State Security, the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Army to act, stating that "state apparatuses remain silent — to put it mildly." In his message, in which he claimed that "Hezbollah's incitement campaign has reached the point of attacking women and children," he shared a post by his brother, Bahaa Barakat. "My family and I face harassment every time we enter or approach areas known for their affiliation [with Hezbollah]. The reasons range from simple disagreements to differing opinions, but the main reason remains the fact that I am Mohammad Barakat's brother. These incidents have recently intensified, to the point where we've decided not to go to the southern suburbs [of Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold] or other similar areas," Bahaa Barakat wrote. "This human scum, who threaten physical assault and hurl insults at every opportunity, are defeated, humiliated, and resigned — struggling in the abyss they've thrown themselves into. You are cowards, unworthy even of insults, for you are beneath them. You, from whom only traitors and diminished beings emerge — the oncoming train will crush you, and history will discard you to where you truly belong." In October last year, Mohammad Barakat was targeted by a lawsuit for 'sectarian incitement' filed by Sheikh Ali Khatib, Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council. In response, Barakat — founder of the independent Shiite group Nahwa al-Inqaz ('Towards Salvation'), established in December 2024 — filed a legal complaint against the religious leader on April 24. In it, he requested that the Court of Cassation launch an investigation into Sheikh Khatib, accusing him of 'embezzling public funds and illegally occupying real estate.' Contacted by L'Orien Today, a Hezbollah source stated: 'Mohammad Barakat continues to attack us and claims every week that his family has been threatened. He stages this story at the expense of Hezbollah with the aim of attracting more attention on social media. These are false statements, fake information and filled with hypocrisy.' Barakat had been summoned in November last year by the head of the Court of Cassation, Jamal Hajjar, based on Sheikh Khatib's complaint following statements made during a television appearance on Al-Jadeed on Oct. 28, 2024. During the show, Barakat alleged that Khatib had restored four buildings in Hazmieh (Mount Lebanon) and was keeping them at his disposal, although they could house "200 families." His accusations came in the context of the war between Hezbollah and Israel (from October 2023 to November 2024), which had displaced thousands of Lebanese from southern Lebanon. After questioning, Judge Hajjar released him under the condition of choosing an official residence.
L'Orient-Le Jour
06-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Why did Hezbollah's opposition not participate in the municipal elections
Despite a weakening in both its political and military standing following its latest war with Israel, Hezbollah was notably absent from the electoral scene during the first phase of municipal elections held Sunday in Mount vote marked a preliminary but telling test of the party's ongoing influence — particularly in Beirut's southern suburbs, parts of the Baabda district, and several Shiite villages in Jbeil. Though geographically limited, this early round signals potential outcomes in upcoming votes scheduled for May 18 in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley and May 24 in South Lebanon — all areas where Hezbollah and Amal have a strong presence.'We boycotted the municipal elections in most municipalities, and we will do the same in the coming rounds,' said Mohammad Barakat, co-founder of "Towards Salvation," a political...
Arab Times
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Arab Times
Warba Bank wins first place in final round of the second GR Yaris Cup
KUWAIT CITY, April 14: Warba Bank earned the first place in the fifth and final rounds of the second season of the GR Yaris Cup, concluding a highly competitive and dynamic season. The GR2 team, representing Kuwait, also emerged victorious in the championship, defeating the Qatari team in the regional round. Held in Kuwait with the participation of racers from both Kuwait and Qatar, the cup concluded last weekend and witnessed exceptional performances from the talented young drivers, as Warba Bank celebrated this national achievement as a testament to the dedication and potential of Kuwaiti youth, an achievement that aligns with the bank's social responsibility and its vision to empower the youth and support them across diverse fields. Warba Bank's sponsorship of the cup affirms its ongoing commitment to supporting sports initiatives that showcase the passion, discipline, and advanced skills of Kuwaiti youth. These platforms provide young individuals with the opportunity to compete, grow, and realize their ambitions in a stimulating environment. On this occasion, the Chief Marketing and Corporate Communication Officer at Warba Bank, Dr. Mohammad Barakat, said, 'We are proud to have supported this outstanding sporting event, which reflects the spirit of competition and enhances Kuwait's reputation on the regional sports stage. This victory underscores the importance of investing in youth and providing them with opportunities to express their full potential, an objective that Warba Bank continues to uphold through its diverse initiatives focused on human development and empowerment.' Dr. Barakat concluded by congratulating the winners, organizers, and all participants, reaffirming Warba Bank's ongoing support for initiatives that combine excellence and innovation. He added, 'This cup reflects the values we believe in at Warba Bank, values captured in our slogan: 'We Hear You, Let's Own Tomorrow.'' Warba Bank places a strong emphasis on its social responsibility, demonstrated through its consistent support for initiatives that leave a positive and lasting impact on society. Warba is particularly focused on empowering the youth by investing in their creative, professional, and athletic potential. It also sponsors events that combine innovation and excellence, whether in education, technology, or sports, believing that investing in youth is a direct investment in the future of Kuwait. The bank's support for events such as the GR Yaris Cup aligns with its vision of enabling local talent and fostering a spirit of competition, creativity, and achievement among the next generation. Building a Better Tomorrow Guided by its slogan 'We Hear You, Let's Own Tomorrow,' Warba Bank remains committed to setting new standards for the future of Islamic banking. Through digital innovation, service excellence, and sustainable development, the Bank is reshaping customer experience while promoting a comprehensive and inclusive financial system. With one of the largest shareholder bases and being one of the fastest-growing Islamic banks in Kuwait, Warba continues to reinforce its position as a trusted partner for individuals and businesses alike. Its notable success in a short period has positioned it at the forefront of digital Islamic banking, offering Sharia-compliant products and services that are accessible, innovative, and aligned with the aspirations of a modern society.
