MIFC Leadership Council to guide Malaysia's progress as an international Islamic finance gateway

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) have announced the establishment of the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) Leadership Council. The Council will provide industry stewardship to enhance Malaysia’s proposition as a global marketplace and as an international gateway for Islamic finance. 

The MIFC Leadership Council will provide thought leadership as well as drive strategy formulation and monitoring industry initiatives to solidify Malaysia’s leading position in Islamic finance. It is expected to catalyse industry developments towards nurturing new ideas, deepen and diversify strategic linkages with international partners and strengthen MIFC global advocacy. 

Appointed for a term of three years, the Council members will be guided by national strategic development plans, including BNM’s Financial Sector Blueprint 2022 - 2026 and the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 3 (CMP3). Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar will lead the Council as the Chairman, with council members comprising prominent local and international industry figures as well as representatives from BNM and SC. 

In undertaking its mandates, the Council will leverage the expertise of and collaborate with experts from the financial, corporate and academic fraternity as well as relevant authorities and agencies, to advance areas of mutual interest and support deliberation of industry’s initiatives.

BankDhofar to provide Ramadhan tips daily

Source: BankDhofar. Al Ibrahim.

As part of its goals to promote positive communication and retain a sustainable relationship with its customers, BankDhofar is providing daily tips during Ramadhan for its social media fans and followers.

BankDhofar aims through the tips to raise awareness on various issues including health, a healthy diet during the holy month of Ramadhan, social practices among others. The tips are presented through two characters, Saad and Suad.

Commenting on the campaign Ahmed Said Al Ibrahim, GM & Chief Corporate Services Officer, BankDhofar noted: “At BankDhofar we believe that that customers are the core for our success and operational growth. Therefore, we are always keen to maintain positive communication through various channels. This Ramadhan we get even closer to our customers and social media fans through providing daily tips and advices related to the holy month of Ramadhan as well as informing our customers on how to benefit from our unique services.”

With the aim of catering to customer’s needs at any time BankDhofar has extended working hours in Muscat Grand Mall, Muscat International Airport and Salalah Gardens Mall branches to 11:30pm. Additionally, customers can benefit from a number of services provided through mobile banking during Ramadhan; including, donating to charitable organisations and zakat (زكاة), checking prayer timings among other instant services.

The bank has also announced that those affected by cyclone Mekunu will have their personal and housing loan installments deferred for June, July and August 2018.

Details:

Check BankDhofar's Twitter feed and Facebook page

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center receives two batches of student cultural guides

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE has hosted new batches of potential guides for the Ibn Elder and Junior Cultural Guide programmes, which were launched towards supporting and developing a qualified national workforce in the field of cultural guidance in the UAE.

The Ibn Elder programme provides the participants with an opportunity to work within its part-time scheme at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center upon passing a cultural guidance course. Participants carry out cultural tours in accordance with international cultural guidance quality standards that meet the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center's vision and objectives, and are trained by local national cultural guidance specialists affiliated to the Center. Training, over four weeks, covers conduct of cultural guides, information acquisition, discussions on frequently-asked questions and educational field trips to similar tourist and cultural destinations in the UAE.

The Junior Cultural Guide programme, held at the mosque's premises in Abu Dhabi will host 50 students between the ages of 11 and 15 till mid-August, over the summer break, in cooperation with both ADEC and Emirates Transport. It aims to highlight the profession of cultural guidance in the UAE, and the cultural and social role played by Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center.

A new theme to the Junior Cultural Guide programme this year is My lovely language, which coincides with the public reading initiative launched by HH Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. My lovely language will help the children to deliver the tours in precise Arabic. The children will be taught five new Arabic words a day and encourage to use them during their tours.

Another theme added to the programme is Community Service, and involves inviting guests with special needs to participate during the training sessions. This helps to highlight the importance of volunteering, introduces the services that are available at the mosque in this regard, and educates the children on the nuances of interacting with people with special needs.

Etihad and LUXE team up on collectible limited edition Business Class amenity kits

Source: Etihad Airways.

Etihad Airways has launched a new range of collectible limited edition Business Class amenity kits, the result of a unique collaboration between the airline and luxury travel brand LUXE City Guides, the guide for savvy travellers. The kits embody the flair synonymous with the Etihad Airways brand, and contain inflight amenities and natural facial products developed exclusively by London-based skincare and grooming brand Scaramouche + Fandango.

Six new stylised kit designs have been created by LUXE City Guides for Etihad Airways, inspired by some of the iconic cities on the airline’s extensive global network. The designs for Abu Dhabi, London and Madrid, have been specially produced for Etihad Airways, whilst the Los Angeles, Sydney and Hong Kong kits feature bespoke LUXE artwork. The initial limited edition offering will be expanded at a later stage, with new designs and more cities to be launched.

Each kit contains a customised Etihad Airways LUXE City Guide which corresponds to the showcased city, covering everything from hotels and restaurants, to spas, bars, boutiques and bespoke shopping, as well as services, specialists and personal guides. Scaramouche + Fandango has developed a unisex comfort kit and skincare offering in collaboration with Etihad Airways. Specially formulated for skincare needs inflight, the range consists of parabens-free products, high in natural ingredients, to enhance onboard wellbeing.

Calum Laming, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Guest Experience, said: “The introduction of these kits is not about providing brand names to our Business Class guests. It is about intelligent design, functionality and providing them with products which are attractive, natural, useful and re-usable. Collaborating with relevant, progressive lifestyle brands such as LUXE City Guides and Scaramouche + Fandango has enabled us to tailor amenities to the requirements of our guests while retaining all the authentic charm and sophistication of the Etihad Airways brand.

“Etihad Airways continues to reimagine the flying experience, setting a new benchmark for innovation and luxury. The introduction of these kits is part of a much bigger journey which was started with the introduction of our new revolutionary cabins on the flagship Airbus A380 and Boeing 787s, and the new service concepts introduced fleet-wide. These collectible kits also reflect the global nature of our business, while simultaneously highlighting the inspiration, style and unique qualities of our home, Abu Dhabi.”

Simon Westcott, LUXE City Guides Chief Executive Officer, said: “Etihad Airways offers one of the best inflight experiences in the world. In partnering with LUXE City Guides to create its new Business Class amenity kits, Etihad helps ensure that the premium experience extends long after its guests have landed. It is great to be working with fellow innovators.”

The comfort kit features a luxurious facial moisturiser enriched with vitamin E and made with anti-oxidants and essential oils to combat fatigue and the lower humidity levels in the cabin. Triglycerides and essential oils rebalance the skin’s natural moisture. A honey and shea butter lip balm enriched with vitamin E keeps lips hydrated. The new kits also include a sleep pack containing socks and eyemask, a care pack containing cotton pads and earbuds, in addition to a dental pack and earplugs.

The Abu Dhabi kit uses a unique design pattern inspired by the rich architectural heritage of the Emirate, translated into a style best described as Arabian Modernism. The pattern reflects the Etihad Airways’ brand and colour palette.

Guidebook on Uzbekistan is into 8th edition

Source: Odyssey website.

The 8th edition of Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand was released by publishers Odyssey in May 2014. Called 'the best guidebook on Uzbekistan' by the New York Times, Uzbekistan covers the legends and sights of this crossroads along the Silk Road, including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

Authors Bradley Mayhew and Calum Macleod also include the attractions of neighbouring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.


The paperback has 384 pages and 23 maps.