29th January 2015

Al Rayan Bank PLC, (www.alrayanbank.co.uk), formerly known as Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB), this week (27th January) presented the British Muslim Awards 2015 at a ceremony held at The Chateau Impney Hotel, Worcestershire.

The prestigious awards ceremony, which recognises a wide range of achievement by British Muslims across aspects of society including business, charity, sport, arts and culture, was attended by over 350 guests.

Nominations from all over the country were submitted and representatives from Al Rayan Bank personally awarded three winners with their accolades. These were for the following categories:

  • Samera Ashraf, winner of 'Best at Sport, presented by Keith Leach, Group Commercial Director, Al Rayan Bank

  • Farouq Sheikh, Founder and Executive Chairman, CareTech Holdings Plc, winner of 'Businessman of the Year' category, presented by Sultan Choudhury, Chief Executive Officer, Al Rayan Bank

  • Euro Quality Lambs, winner of 'Business of the Year' category, presented by Malcolm Brookes, Non-Executive Director, Al Rayan Bank

Commenting on the event, Sultan Choudhury said, "The British Muslim Awards provide a platform for Muslims throughout the United Kingdom to showcase their achievements; Al Rayan Bank is honoured to support the event once again this year. I congratulate the winners, and the nominees, for their impressive contribution to their sector."

The full list of British Muslim Award 2015 winners can be found at the event website www.thediversityawards.info

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About Al Rayan Bank
Al Rayan Bank PLC (the Bank, Al Rayan Bank) has pioneered Sharia compliant retail banking in the UK and now offers the largest range of Sharia compliant retail financial products in the UK. These include Sharia compliant mortgage alternatives, the Home Purchase Plan (HPP) and Buy to Let Purchase Plan (BTLPP), current accounts and savings accounts. The Bank was also the first to introduce Sharia compliant business banking to the UK, and now offers a wide range of institutional and business banking products and services, including Commercial Property Finance. Several of the Bank's products remain unique in the UK retail financial market.

The Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority and is a member of Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Sharia compliant banking operates without the use of interest and is founded on Islamic finance principles derived from trade, entrepreneurship and risk-sharing. Al Rayan Bank has a dedicated Sharia Compliance Officer (SCO) and a panel of respected Sharia Scholars, called the Sharia Supervisory Committee (SSC), which acts as an independent body to ensure that Al Rayan Bank's products and activities are Sharia compliant.

As a Sharia compliant bank, the source of Al Rayan Bank's funding, profits and business investments must be ethical. They cannot be from businesses that are considered unlawful under Sharia law, i.e. companies that deal in interest, alcohol, gambling, pornography, speculation, tobacco, arms and other commodities contrary to Islamic values.

Whilst Al Rayan Bank offers products and services that are designed in accordance with Sharia principles, it is an inclusive, ethical organisation and welcomes customers of all faiths looking for a bank with a transparent, prudent and community-focused approach.

© Press Release 2015