The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments of the UAE (Awqaf), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Holy Quran radio station, the most popular state radio station in the UAE, has recorded 80 radio episodes about Hajj rituals and virtues.
The episodes include the legacy of the Hajj, the Hajj mission, Hajj verses and guidance, the Hajj of the prophet (ﷺ), fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) of women in Hajj and the daily broadcast Yastaftoonak (asking for fatwas).
The episodes were prepared and recorded by a group of the most prominent male and female preachers of the Awqaf. The radio will start airing these episodes starting 20 Dhulqa'adah, during the preparation phase for travelling to the holy sites.
News & trends blog on the shari'ah economy in Asia Pacific/Middle East. Reporting from Singapore.
Showing posts with label Dhabi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dhabi. Show all posts
Monday, 15 August 2016
Thursday, 11 August 2016
ADIB revamps Internet banking
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has launched a new version of its Internet banking platform to create a more convenient customer experience. The new service has been redesigned based on customer feedback.
The aim is to make it easier for current and new customers to digitally access products and services while catering to the needs of the growing number of customers utilising digital banking services. ADIB has seen a rapid growth in customers using digital channels lead by mobile devices. Users of ADIB's digital banking channels more than doubled in the last 12 months while smartphone transactions increased by 73% in the first half of the year.
The main feature of the new service is a more intuitive user experience. ADIB customers will now benefit from a user-friendly digital banking service, which will let them meet more of their banking needs online and execute faster transactions. The website's look and feel is aligned with other channels such as ATMs and mobile app thus providing customers with the same experience across all digital touch points. The new digital platform is compatible with tablets, smartphones and desktops, providing customers with the ability to interact with the bank using their preferred device as well as the ability ot manage all of their personal profiles from one single sign-on.
Philip King, Head of Retail Banking, ADIB said: "Our research and dialogue with users through social media shows that consumers seek digital banking services that are easy and simple to use with features that fit the 'multiscreen' lifestyle as they access their bank using different devices. For this reason, we introduced a new design approach that revolutionises online banking and makes it very easy to use for everyone. This is part of ADIB's digital innovation programme which will include launches of several major new customer offerings over the next 12 months."
The dual language banking platform can be accessed via a single sign-on service that combines security with ease of use, and includes safety features such as a card management tool that will allow customers to block cards that have been lost or stolen. The upgrade is seamless: customers can access the website from different devices without the need to install new software, and current users of ADIB online banking services can use their existing access name and password to sign in.
Interested?
The new service is accessible via ADIB's homepage
The aim is to make it easier for current and new customers to digitally access products and services while catering to the needs of the growing number of customers utilising digital banking services. ADIB has seen a rapid growth in customers using digital channels lead by mobile devices. Users of ADIB's digital banking channels more than doubled in the last 12 months while smartphone transactions increased by 73% in the first half of the year.
The main feature of the new service is a more intuitive user experience. ADIB customers will now benefit from a user-friendly digital banking service, which will let them meet more of their banking needs online and execute faster transactions. The website's look and feel is aligned with other channels such as ATMs and mobile app thus providing customers with the same experience across all digital touch points. The new digital platform is compatible with tablets, smartphones and desktops, providing customers with the ability to interact with the bank using their preferred device as well as the ability ot manage all of their personal profiles from one single sign-on.
Philip King, Head of Retail Banking, ADIB said: "Our research and dialogue with users through social media shows that consumers seek digital banking services that are easy and simple to use with features that fit the 'multiscreen' lifestyle as they access their bank using different devices. For this reason, we introduced a new design approach that revolutionises online banking and makes it very easy to use for everyone. This is part of ADIB's digital innovation programme which will include launches of several major new customer offerings over the next 12 months."
The dual language banking platform can be accessed via a single sign-on service that combines security with ease of use, and includes safety features such as a card management tool that will allow customers to block cards that have been lost or stolen. The upgrade is seamless: customers can access the website from different devices without the need to install new software, and current users of ADIB online banking services can use their existing access name and password to sign in.
Interested?
The new service is accessible via ADIB's homepage
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Etihad opens new First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways has opened its new flagship First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3. The space showcases the airline’s commitment to providing unparallelled and aspirational hospitality experiences.
Inspired by the world’s most prestigious hotels, private members’ clubs and fine dining establishments, the lounge is an ultra-exclusive lifestyle environment with unrivalled design, style and comfort, world class dining, and bespoke beauty and relaxation services.
The lounge features 16 unique zones designed to ensure that guests can relax, re-energise and be entertained in total luxury before boarding their flight. An àla carte restaurant, fitness room, Six Senses Spa, Style & Shave barbers, nail bar, TV room, secluded relaxation room, prayer room and children’s play room are part of the facilities.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our new First Class Lounge & Spa is the jewel in the crown of our new lounge offerings worldwide and represents the best of our home city of Abu Dhabi. It is a showcase of intelligent product design, innovation, and superlative hospitality and service. This is not just a lounge but the ultimate airline hospitality experience and one which perfectly mirrors Etihad Airways’ evolution into the best airline in the world.
“Continuing our journey of innovation, this new dedicated First Class environment demonstrates our on-going commitment to developing world-class products as we continue to reimagine travel.”
Measuring just under 1,700 m², and boasting expansive views of the airport, the new facility is open round-the-clock for the exclusive use of guests of The Residence, Etihad First Class, Etihad Guest Exclusive, Etihad Guest Platinum members (plus one guest), Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airline First Class guests, EAP ‘Invitation only’ members (plus two guests) and EAP equivalent Platinum members (plus one guest).
Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Marketing, said: “We are reimagining service and hospitality. Whilst this physical environment is truly remarkable, we have placed special emphasis on creating an aspirational luxury lifestyle space in line with our legendary inflight service offering. The result is the finest airline lounge and spa experience in the world.”
Guests of The Residence enjoy the exclusivity of their own private space discreetly located adjacent to the main lounge entrance. The secluded area boasts a dedicated Savoy-trained Butler, custom-made Poltrona Frau Italian leather armchairs and sofas, its own shower room stocked with a range of Acqua di Parma products, a prayer room, and private dining.
Guests of the First Class Lounge & Spa will be attended to by a number of expertly trained staff - all of whom have undergone a rigorous selection process. The lounge features a General Manager, Concierge, Maître d’Hotel, Savoy-trained Butlers, chefs and mixologists among its highly trained lounge team.
The Executive Chef brings with him immense experience from a long career with leading hotel brands including Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La, and Intercontinental. His team of skilled Sous Chefs, Demi Chefs, and Chef de Partie create superior haute cuisine dining served at an àla carte dining area. Menus are changed frequently and feature a choice of Arabian, Indian and international cuisine made to order at any time of day. The kitchen prepares all dining in-house using the freshest, locally sourced, seasonal produce. Guests will also be able to experience a unique five-course Emirati tasting menu, developed by chefs from Mezlai at the prestigious Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. A casual dining and bar snack menu is also provided.
A bespoke cocktail menu has been specially developed in partnership with leading London-based beverage consultancy Fluid Movement. The signature mocktail drink is the Abu Dhabi, which uses Middle-Eastern flavours such as aromatic cold brew coffee infused with cardamom and sprayed with delicate rose water. Everything on the menu is one-of-a-kind and named after Etihad’s leading destinations including New York, Melbourne, Shanghai, Paris, Mumbai, Sydney and London. Using ingredients inspired by these cities, beverages are hand-created by specially trained mixologists, using syrups and garnishes such as candy floss and dehydrated rhubarb.
The Six Senses Spa comprises three treatment rooms with shower facilities. First Class guests can enjoy a complimentary treatment, while guests in The Residence are offered two complimentary treatments.
In keeping with a focus on health and wellbeing, the Relax & Recline area features a large video wall made up of 27 individual screens, soothing sound and lighting, and is furnished with six Poltona Frau leather recliners. The fitness room is equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym treadmills and cross trainers, and male and female washrooms and showers.
The Style & Shave area is staffed by barbers offering a series of hair and shave services, including one complimentary express treatment and a shoe shine service. The nail bar provides hair and nail services, including nail art, and one complimentary express treatment.
HE Eng. Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “We are delighted to support Etihad Airways with the launch of their First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport. This new facility will offer guests a truly exclusive and premium experience, and is a reflection of the continued commitment by the airline and the airport to offer the best possible services to passengers flying through the UAE capital.”
From an interior design perspective, the principles of style, space and serenity are complemented by Etihad Airways’ distinctive Facets of Abu Dhabi branding. With its geometric patterns and colour palette inspired by the UAE landscape, it is the ultimate expression of 21st century Arabian modernism.
The new facility adds to the airline’s expanding collection of 14 Premium Lounges including one recently launched in Melbourne and Premium Lounges in Abu Dhabi (Terminals 1 and 3) and in Sydney. At Abu Dhabi Airport, Etihad Airways also operates a dedicated Premium Lounge within the unique US Preclearance facility, and a Premium Arrivals Lounge.
Inspired by the world’s most prestigious hotels, private members’ clubs and fine dining establishments, the lounge is an ultra-exclusive lifestyle environment with unrivalled design, style and comfort, world class dining, and bespoke beauty and relaxation services.
The lounge features 16 unique zones designed to ensure that guests can relax, re-energise and be entertained in total luxury before boarding their flight. An àla carte restaurant, fitness room, Six Senses Spa, Style & Shave barbers, nail bar, TV room, secluded relaxation room, prayer room and children’s play room are part of the facilities.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our new First Class Lounge & Spa is the jewel in the crown of our new lounge offerings worldwide and represents the best of our home city of Abu Dhabi. It is a showcase of intelligent product design, innovation, and superlative hospitality and service. This is not just a lounge but the ultimate airline hospitality experience and one which perfectly mirrors Etihad Airways’ evolution into the best airline in the world.
“Continuing our journey of innovation, this new dedicated First Class environment demonstrates our on-going commitment to developing world-class products as we continue to reimagine travel.”
Measuring just under 1,700 m², and boasting expansive views of the airport, the new facility is open round-the-clock for the exclusive use of guests of The Residence, Etihad First Class, Etihad Guest Exclusive, Etihad Guest Platinum members (plus one guest), Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airline First Class guests, EAP ‘Invitation only’ members (plus two guests) and EAP equivalent Platinum members (plus one guest).
Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Marketing, said: “We are reimagining service and hospitality. Whilst this physical environment is truly remarkable, we have placed special emphasis on creating an aspirational luxury lifestyle space in line with our legendary inflight service offering. The result is the finest airline lounge and spa experience in the world.”
Guests of The Residence enjoy the exclusivity of their own private space discreetly located adjacent to the main lounge entrance. The secluded area boasts a dedicated Savoy-trained Butler, custom-made Poltrona Frau Italian leather armchairs and sofas, its own shower room stocked with a range of Acqua di Parma products, a prayer room, and private dining.
Guests of the First Class Lounge & Spa will be attended to by a number of expertly trained staff - all of whom have undergone a rigorous selection process. The lounge features a General Manager, Concierge, Maître d’Hotel, Savoy-trained Butlers, chefs and mixologists among its highly trained lounge team.
The Executive Chef brings with him immense experience from a long career with leading hotel brands including Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La, and Intercontinental. His team of skilled Sous Chefs, Demi Chefs, and Chef de Partie create superior haute cuisine dining served at an àla carte dining area. Menus are changed frequently and feature a choice of Arabian, Indian and international cuisine made to order at any time of day. The kitchen prepares all dining in-house using the freshest, locally sourced, seasonal produce. Guests will also be able to experience a unique five-course Emirati tasting menu, developed by chefs from Mezlai at the prestigious Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. A casual dining and bar snack menu is also provided.
A bespoke cocktail menu has been specially developed in partnership with leading London-based beverage consultancy Fluid Movement. The signature mocktail drink is the Abu Dhabi, which uses Middle-Eastern flavours such as aromatic cold brew coffee infused with cardamom and sprayed with delicate rose water. Everything on the menu is one-of-a-kind and named after Etihad’s leading destinations including New York, Melbourne, Shanghai, Paris, Mumbai, Sydney and London. Using ingredients inspired by these cities, beverages are hand-created by specially trained mixologists, using syrups and garnishes such as candy floss and dehydrated rhubarb.
The Six Senses Spa comprises three treatment rooms with shower facilities. First Class guests can enjoy a complimentary treatment, while guests in The Residence are offered two complimentary treatments.
In keeping with a focus on health and wellbeing, the Relax & Recline area features a large video wall made up of 27 individual screens, soothing sound and lighting, and is furnished with six Poltona Frau leather recliners. The fitness room is equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym treadmills and cross trainers, and male and female washrooms and showers.
The Style & Shave area is staffed by barbers offering a series of hair and shave services, including one complimentary express treatment and a shoe shine service. The nail bar provides hair and nail services, including nail art, and one complimentary express treatment.
HE Eng. Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “We are delighted to support Etihad Airways with the launch of their First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport. This new facility will offer guests a truly exclusive and premium experience, and is a reflection of the continued commitment by the airline and the airport to offer the best possible services to passengers flying through the UAE capital.”
From an interior design perspective, the principles of style, space and serenity are complemented by Etihad Airways’ distinctive Facets of Abu Dhabi branding. With its geometric patterns and colour palette inspired by the UAE landscape, it is the ultimate expression of 21st century Arabian modernism.
The new facility adds to the airline’s expanding collection of 14 Premium Lounges including one recently launched in Melbourne and Premium Lounges in Abu Dhabi (Terminals 1 and 3) and in Sydney. At Abu Dhabi Airport, Etihad Airways also operates a dedicated Premium Lounge within the unique US Preclearance facility, and a Premium Arrivals Lounge.
Monday, 21 December 2015
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank forges ahead with innovation via IBM partnership
In line with its strategy to digitise its products and services for an enhanced customers' experience, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank will fundamentally transform how it interacts and provides services to customers by building a new Digital Studio with IBM. The studio will be the first of its kind in the region.
The move is expected to fast-track development of digital innovation projects across the bank, including mobile banking iOS apps built on IBM Bluemix and IBM MobileFirst, enabling it to address competition from fintechs. The bank is also building a multidisciplinary digital team that will include experts from IBM Design and IBM Interactive Experience, the industry's largest hybrid digital agency and consultancy. The IBM experts will work with ADIB to create personalised and engaging digital experiences such as new mobile banking apps for consumers.
Sagheer Mufti, Chief Operating Officer, ADIB said: "ADIB aims to be the best digital bank in the UAE and the region and is continuously investing in cutting edge technologies to enhance customer experience and introduce innovative products and solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers. In line with our core values of simplicity and mutual benefit, we are continuously looking for ways to foster innovation to deliver greater value and superior customer experience.
"The introduction of a digital studio at ADIB means we now have access to a team of dedicated IBM digital experts with proven experience designing compelling financial services and solutions that will work hand in hand with our professional team to make it easier for our customers to use our products and services and seamlessly manage their financial affairs. This studio will also play a major role in driving the various initiatives and projects across the bank to accelerate its digital transformation."
Bluemix – IBM's cloud platform – allows developers to accelerate the deployment of next-generation apps that capture the disruptive potential of cognitive computing, analytics and IoT. The cloud platform will enable ADIB to accelerate the development and deployment of these next-generation apps that leverage these innovations to offer clients a truly differentiated digital experience.
"As companies transform, it's essential to address the systemic cause of what's standing in the way of change. IBM has created a new type of design thinking that brings together product management, engineering and design teams to deliver iconic user experiences for clients," said Amr Refaat, General Manager, IBM Middle East and Pakistan. "We are working with ADIB to help them craft the entire user experience by understanding users, exploring concepts, rapid prototyping and evaluating with users and diverse stakeholders."
The Bank will also deploy the IBM MobileFirst for iOS Trusted Advisor App, allowing their financial advisors to easily and securely access and manage client portfolios from their iPads. The app empowers advisors to address the full gamut of client needs, from testing recommendations against sophisticated modelling tools all the way to complete, secure transactions. Powered by analytics, the Trusted Advice app provides predictive information that enables advisors to gain quick insight for devising client scenarios and conduct more interactive client planning sessions. Using their iPads, advisors can share graphic-rich data with clients for more engaging, personalised presentations that can be delivered wherever they meet with clients.
The move is expected to fast-track development of digital innovation projects across the bank, including mobile banking iOS apps built on IBM Bluemix and IBM MobileFirst, enabling it to address competition from fintechs. The bank is also building a multidisciplinary digital team that will include experts from IBM Design and IBM Interactive Experience, the industry's largest hybrid digital agency and consultancy. The IBM experts will work with ADIB to create personalised and engaging digital experiences such as new mobile banking apps for consumers.
Sagheer Mufti, Chief Operating Officer, ADIB said: "ADIB aims to be the best digital bank in the UAE and the region and is continuously investing in cutting edge technologies to enhance customer experience and introduce innovative products and solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers. In line with our core values of simplicity and mutual benefit, we are continuously looking for ways to foster innovation to deliver greater value and superior customer experience.
"The introduction of a digital studio at ADIB means we now have access to a team of dedicated IBM digital experts with proven experience designing compelling financial services and solutions that will work hand in hand with our professional team to make it easier for our customers to use our products and services and seamlessly manage their financial affairs. This studio will also play a major role in driving the various initiatives and projects across the bank to accelerate its digital transformation."
Bluemix – IBM's cloud platform – allows developers to accelerate the deployment of next-generation apps that capture the disruptive potential of cognitive computing, analytics and IoT. The cloud platform will enable ADIB to accelerate the development and deployment of these next-generation apps that leverage these innovations to offer clients a truly differentiated digital experience.
"As companies transform, it's essential to address the systemic cause of what's standing in the way of change. IBM has created a new type of design thinking that brings together product management, engineering and design teams to deliver iconic user experiences for clients," said Amr Refaat, General Manager, IBM Middle East and Pakistan. "We are working with ADIB to help them craft the entire user experience by understanding users, exploring concepts, rapid prototyping and evaluating with users and diverse stakeholders."
The Bank will also deploy the IBM MobileFirst for iOS Trusted Advisor App, allowing their financial advisors to easily and securely access and manage client portfolios from their iPads. The app empowers advisors to address the full gamut of client needs, from testing recommendations against sophisticated modelling tools all the way to complete, secure transactions. Powered by analytics, the Trusted Advice app provides predictive information that enables advisors to gain quick insight for devising client scenarios and conduct more interactive client planning sessions. Using their iPads, advisors can share graphic-rich data with clients for more engaging, personalised presentations that can be delivered wherever they meet with clients.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)