MUSCAT : Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has announced that it has been awarded the Global Islamic Finance Award for Market Leadership in 2022. The accolade adds to a list of prestigious awards won by the leading Islamic services provider in Oman as it celebrates its 10^th anniversary in the Sultanate of Oman. The Global Islamic Finance Awards honours the best in the Islamic financial industry worldwide and are one of the top accolades for the global Islamic banking and finance sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Ahmed Al Lawati, Assistant General Manager – Meethaq Corporate Banking, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cambridge IFA for recognising Meethaq at the recently-held Global Islamic Finance Summit and Awards. Meethaq is well known for its continuous efforts to offer the best value propositions and services aligned to the needs of its growing family of customers in the Sultanate as well as the latest global financial trends. We also extend our sincere appreciation and support to all our valued customers for their strong confidence and belief in Meethaq, and hope to facilitate the achievement of their dreams through innovative and customer-centric services and features in the future too.”

It is a matter of great pride for Meethaq that it has been able to establish the largest Islamic branch network in Oman consisting of 12 branches in Muscat and 12 branches across other governorates with ongoing plans to further develop the network in the coming months. In addition to its branch network, Meethaq also has a dedicated network of over 40 ATMs/CDMs and provides free access to about 800 Bank Muscat ATMs and CDMs across the country. Meethaq customers can also benefit from the world-class Mobile and Internet banking facilities as well as access to a state-of-the-art call centre, which is easily reachable at 24656666.

With its innovative Shari’a based products, Meethaq extends support to all key economic sectors and is well positioned to provide sustained Islamic financial expertise promoting the good of the society as a whole. In addition to offering a full suite of Islamic banking products and services for its retail customers including savings accounts, current accounts, home finance, auto finance, debit / credit cards, Mobile and Internet banking and SME & corporate customers including current accounts, working capital, short term and long-term facilities. Meethaq has heavily invested in its staff, systems and controls to ensure its services and products are delivered in a professional, segregated and Shari’a-compliant manner.

As the leader in the Islamic banking industry in Oman in terms of branch network, products and services, IT infrastructure, human resources and financing retail, SME’s & Corporates customers since its launch in 2012, Meethaq has a strong track record of winning many prestigious local, regional and global awards for its outstanding achievements in Islamic banking. Accolades won in the past include the Best Islamic Bank in Oman award from Islamic Finance News (IFN) and Oman’s Most Trusted Brand (Islamic Banking) from Apex Media in 2021.

It must be noted that every Meethaq product goes through the process of Shari’a compliance certification by the Shari’a Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman. Meethaq’s adoption of AAOIFI standards (Accounting & Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions) further distinguishes Meethaq Islamic banking practices in terms of standardization of its products and services complementing its world-class Islamic banking experience.