Dubai Islamic Bank introduces Emirati Family Banking

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, has announced the launch of Emirati Family Banking services. Designed to allow individuals to bring multiple family members under a joint plan, the Emirati Family Banking service is available to both new and existing customers.

One of the primary benefits is that the accounts of all members will be upgraded to the same level as that of the highest designated account holder in the family. As a result, family members may enjoy a whole range of new privileges and benefits by qualifying for an upgraded account.

Mohammed Al Nahdi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at DIB said: “There is a real need for this solution that is unmatched by the market in order to allow Emirati families to bank together. Also, DIB recognises the substantial contribution that these families make in terms of building a prosperous economic environment that spurs further growth. As such, the bank is determined to have them rewarded for their banking experience with DIB through a host of unique benefits. Moving forward, we will continue to extend our financial counsel and support to allow Emirati customers to enjoy our high level of product and service excellence.”

Sanjay Malhotra, Chief of Consumer Banking at DIB, said: “As one of the most innovative banks in the market today, we are constantly looking for ways to deliver significant value for our customers. One of the areas where we have seen growing demand is for a multifaceted service offering that allows families to bank together as a combined relationship. With this in mind, we believe that we have created a relationship-based solution that not only meets, but exceeds, customers’ expectations by delivering a range of unique privileges for them.”

DIB has one of the largest retail bases in the UAE with over 1.5 million customers and 90 branches across the country.

Eton Institute to help Arabic learners with Emirati Arabic from November to December 2015

Source: Eton Institute website.

In celebration of the 44th UAE National Day, Eton Institute, a learning and development solutions provider, offers to send a new word or phrase in Emirati Arabic every day from 1 November to 2 December 2015 via a chosen social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Whatsapp.

Interested?

To get the Arabic phrases through Whatsapp, add ‘Eton Institute’ to your contact list:  +971 55 566 1483, then send them your name via a WhatsApp message

To get the Arabic phrases on other social media, follow Eton Institute on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Viki or YouTube.

National Bank of Fujairah introduces dedicated banking for Emirati businesswomen

Source: NBF e-newsletter.

The National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) has launched NBF Elham, a department dedicated to supporting the banking requirements of female Emirati business leaders and entrepreneurs. Elham (إلهام) means 'inspiration' in Arabic.

Staffed by female Emirati corporate bankers and operating initially from the bank's Al Quoz branch, NBF Elham will provide Emirati businesswomen easy access to the bank's extensive knowledge and experience in multiple industries as well as its corporate banking services and growing suite of Islamic banking solutions.

While the UAE has issued countrywide directives committed to smoothening the transition of Emirati women into the corporate world, statistical and anecdotal evidence suggest that local female entrepreneurs, regardless of their strong ability and desire for success, still face challenges in receiving the appropriate support for their businesses.

Vikram Pradhan, NBF's Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking, said that NBF Elham reaffirms the bank's relationship-driven focus and commitment to the country's long term goal of cultivating a pipeline of Emirati business leaders.

"It is through my discussions with our Emirati lady clients and female relationship managers from my team that have made me realise that while the entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive in the UAE, many Emirati women entrepreneurs are not aware of, or do not have ready access to, the working capital, financial tools and expert guidance that would otherwise be available to other business owners.

"As a well-established local bank with one of the best track records in supporting businesses in the UAE, we are naturally the first to have identified this unique segment. By leveraging our highly trained and dedicated female Emirati relationship team and the bank's accumulated business experience and financial expertise, we hope to be able to level the playing field for aspiring Emirati female business leaders and thereby pave the way for their greater participation and success in the local economy."

Vince Cook, NBF's Chief Executive Officer, added: "The increasingly crucial role that Emirati businesswomen play in the future of the UAE requires little explanation, and as a customer segment, it is certainly deserving of greater attention from the local banking sector. Just as the government is actively pushing for greater inclusion of talented local women into the socio-political and economic spheres, we feel that there is much more that NBF can do on the ground to support the growing number of female Emirati businesswomen.

"With NBF Elham, we hope to not only encourage a stronger entrepreneurial culture within the country but to partner Emirati businesswomen as they achieve further breakthroughs in their respective industries."

NBF Elham is part of the bank's corporate and institutional banking division, which also has specialised teams focusing on various industries, from energy and marine, services and manufacturing to precious metals and diamonds.

Book on Emirati hospitality launched

Zaabeel Palace Hospitality has launched a book documenting the local heritage on the sidelines of the Dubai World Hospitality Championship (DWHC) which ended on November 1. 

Emirati Hospitality: Customs and Traditions reviews hospitality traditions in the Arabian Gulf, charting the different historic, cultural and geographic connections between the various Gulf states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman). The first edition of the book is signed by HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Source: Zaabeel Palace Hospitality.

HE Ahmed bin Hareb, President of DWHC, said that UAE's traditions are usually passed down by word of mouth, but Emirati Hospitality: Customs and Traditions has managed to document these Emirati customs across different eras. "We hope that the book would achieve its goal in documenting the elements of Emirati hospitality through its texts, photographs, and illustrative and informative drawings," he said.

Emirati Hospitality: Customs and Traditions demonstrates the essence of Emirati Hospitality, from Bedouin-style welcomes, desert-influenced drinks, cooking instruments, to wedding clothes. The book is divided into three sections: Emirati hospitality, Emirati cuisine, and food ingredients. 

The first chapter describes customs that originate at a time when most families had very few belongings to enable them to prepare a generous meal. Nevertheless, these families managed to give their guests a very warm welcome and offer them all possible means of comfort, regardless of the social status or geographic location of the hosting Emirati family. 

Modern Emirati families reflect the balance between tradition and modernism. Many local houses now have a mabrez (majlis), a reception room equipped with traditional Emirati seating, where guests can relax and lean on tickee (pillows), and which has chairs and matareh (matresses).

The book assured that some customs and traditions still exist as before, such as the practice of serving coffee, fresh fuala and desserts at the beginning of each visit. Such customs are considered an essential element of local manners and a permanent symbol of Emirati hospitality. 

Neighbours, families and friends still exchange food dishes and drinks as presents, and rich families still donate food generously to mosques and charities, especially at Ramadhan. Public water fridges are a common sight in front of local homes to ease the thirst of passersby and workers on the street. These practices and other are vivid evidence to the traditional and generous Emirati hospitality realised in modern everyday life.

The book has a history of traditional perfumes. Sandalwood, rose, henna, saffron and musk are thousands of years old, and still part of life in the UAE and in other areas in the Arab Gulf. Aloes and frankincense are part of every social meeting. Women pass a tray of frankincense amongst them in their gatherings to perfume their guests when they leave.

Fuala demonstrate the originality and authenticity of Emirati hospitality. Fuala are a diversity of miniature plates that are given to guests when they arrive, and show that the guest is honoured. Before fridges, microwaves and Tupperware were invented, Emirati families used to warm food for a long period, so they can offer their guests a fresh warm fuala whenever they come.

Emirati Hospitality: Customs and Traditions focuses on the mabrez as the main element in Emirati hospitality. The mabrez is both a location and a social institution. It gives a chance to Emiratis to speak directly to their elders and sheikhs, and has contributed to reinforcing unity amongst the community by hosting public discussions for many generations.

In the current political system of the UAE, governors still open the doors of their majalis (plural for majlis) for the public. Emirati homes usually consist of two majalis, one for males and the other for females, and are able to host large numbers of guests. 

Traditional clothing is one of the most vivid external manifestations of Emirati culture and national identity. The clothing does not only reflect the principles of Islam through modesty, but are also a commitment to local heritage and national pride. The book includes stitching details and ancient embroidery.

The second chapter of  the book discusses Emirati culinary arts in the absence of modern technologies, such as electricity, flowing water, air conditioning and electronic appliances. In humble homes without an independent kitchen, women used to cook in their yards using charcoal ovens (tanur) and stoves. It was challenging in the heat and humidity of summer. Sometimes, food ingredients were absent from the market for weeks, or people could not afford them. Food used to be distributed amongst neighbors, families, friends, strangers, and to charity.

This chapter of the book includes traditional cooking equipment, traditional recipes, Emirati drinks and local commodities. The recipes include fokat laham, matban laham, jasheed, salouna laham, al maleh, fokat samak, khameer, and khanfaroush in addition to salads and desserts.

Fresh beverages are an integral part of local hospitality. Emirati coffee is offered all day long, in addition to some salty and sweet snacks. Popular hot drinks include sweetened tea, various types of flavoured milk and namlet, as well as herbs added for their health benefits. 

Amongst the most famous traditional juices is sharbat, from which the word 'sherbet' is derived. Commercially drinks Vimto, introduced in 1908, and Tang, launched in 1957 are highly popular, especially in Ramadhan. 

The section on food ingredients discusses staples that are easily stored and which last without refrigeration, essential attributes for food used by the nomadic ancestors.

Traditionally Arabian iftar and suhoor at Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai

The Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai is going for traditional Arabian settings this Ramadhan. 

Source: Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai website. Al Mashrbia Restaurant.

Daniel Mathew, General Manager, Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai said, “Break your fast with our sumptuous buffet featuring a wide variety of Middle Eastern favourites as well as international delicacies. Our chefs have got the most authentic Emirati dishes to make your iftar special.”

Iftar is served at Metro!, the international buffet restaurant, for AED150 per person, including live cooking stations, soft drinks and Ramadhan juices daily from sunset to 10:30pm.

Al Mashrbia restaurant offers an Emirati iftar set menu including traditional Arabic coffee and dates, also served daily from sunset to 10:30pm, and then a suhoor buffet with popular Emirati fare from midnight to 4am. 

The hotel’s 24-hour Atrium Café continues to provide pastries, coffees and teas and light snacks on an ala carte basis, but will also feature a tent serving Arabic coffee, teas and dates throughout the month.

For those who wish to hold private iftar parties in other locations in Dubai, the hotel has catering services from AED150 to AED200 per person. Mathew said, “We offer lavish buffet menus for outside catering with live cooking stations, Ramadan juices and an array of Arabic sweets inclusive of traditional tea and coffee. We can also prepare special customised menus upon request.”

For bookings and enquiries, please call on +971 4387 7777 or email FBCord.Mphd@millenniumhotels.com