Bankmuscat hosts Islamic banking seminar in Sohar

MUSCAT — Bankmuscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, hosted the third seminar on Islamic banking at Sohar College of Applied Science. Shaikh Muhanna bin Saif al Lamki, Governor of North Batinah, presided at the event attended by members of the Majlis Addawla and Majlis Ash’shura and other prominent citizens. Shaikh Ibrahim al Sawafi and Shaikh Azan al Amri, researchers at Ifta’a office, Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, addressed the seminar aimed at raising awareness and familiarising people with the main characteristics of Islamic finance.

Sulaiman al Harthy, Group DGM — Consumer Banking, said: “The Bankmuscat strategy is to attract customers through innovative products and services. As always, Bankmuscat takes the lead in offering value added services and strives to increase the range of benefits for customers and we are confident that the Islamic banking seminar helped in shedding light on important aspects of Islamic banking from the Sharia per- spective.”

Bankmuscat recently announced the decision of its Board of Directors to set up an independent Islamic banking window at the Bank and launch Islamic banking operations in accordance with the injunctions of Sharia, subject to approval from the Central Bank of Oman (CBO). In the run-up to comply with the CBO requirements, the Bank unveiled the logo of its Islamic banking window under the brand name ‘Meethaq’.

Further, in line with CBO requirements, the Bank announced the formation of a 3-member Sharia board to en- sure the ‘Meethaq’ operations are in compliance with Sharia.

Al Harthy added: “As the nation’s leading financial services provider, Bankmuscat is well positioned to provide Islamic financial expertise to diverse segments and thereby promote the good of society as a whole.

The Bank has in place a comprehensive strategy to effectively respond to the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos on Islamic banking and thereby cater to the financial needs of people in accordance with the guidelines and regulatory framework to be prescribed by the CBO.”

Bankmuscat’s ‘Meethaq’ will reach out to customers with the promise of being true to their beliefs, offering all the advantages of Islamic banking by following the principles of Sharia law.

The ‘Meethaq’ suite of banking products which combine traditional values with modernity are in the pipeline to give the choice of staying true to one’s values.

Inspired by faith and a tradition of trust, ‘Meethaq’ will help customers stay true to their values.

Al Harthy said: “Since Islam is the religion of the Sultanate of Oman as stated in the Basic Law, Oman is ideally placed to play a leading role in Islamic finance. Omani commercial codes are completely supportive to Islamic banking structure without any conflict. The commercial code has a very strong Sharia foundation in the form of Article 2, 4 and 5 of Royal Decree 55/1990.”