The suspense within the Islamic finance industry eased last week when winners of the Islamic Business & Finance Industry Awards were announced at a ceremony in Dubai. Paul McNamara reports
With the January edition of Islamic Business & Finance magazine readers will receive a special souvenir magazine dedicated to the winners of these Awards, but for those who simply cannot wait, here is a sneak preview.
Following an overwhelming response in online votes and careful analysis of entries, the Awards ceremony brought together 250 industry professionals from around the world to celebrate corporate and individual excellence in the industry.
The top prize of 'Best Islamic Bank' went to Dubai Islamic Bank. In addition, individual prizes were awarded to exceptional finance professionals whose efforts have paved the way for successful Islamic finance. The title of 'Islamic Banker of the Year' was awarded to Badlisyah Abdul Ghani from Malaysia, while Adnan Abdulqader Al Mussallam from Kuwait was honoured with a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and Bahrain's Majid Al Sayed Bader Al-Refai with recognition for 'Outstanding Contribution to the Industry'.
The annual awards, running for the second year, are currently the recognised Industry Awards event across the globe, and are hosted in a different Islamic finance capital every year.
The Islamic Business & Finance Awards were launched in response to the phenomenal growth of the Islamic finance industry, currently estimated at between $500 billion and $1,000 billion.
The complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Islamic Bank - Dubai Islamic Bank
Best Islamic Retail Bank - CIMB Islamic
Best Islamic Investment Bank - Gulf Finance House
Best Islamic Investment House - Investment Dar
Best Islamic Mortgage Provider - Amlak Finance
Best New Product - Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain)
Best Takaful Operator - FWU Group
Best Islamic Finance Advisory Firm - Yasaar Limited
Best Islamic Finance Law Firm - Norton Rose
Best Islamic Corporate Finance - Doha Islamic
Best Islamic Finance Wealth Management Firm - Dubai Islamic Bank
Best Advertising/ Marketing Campaign - QIB
Best New Islamic Bank - Masraf Al Rayan
Best Re-Branding of an Islamic Bank - QIB
slamic Banker of the Year - Badlisyah Abdul Ghani
Lifetime Achievement Award - Adnan Abdulqader Al Mussallam
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry - Majid Al Sayed Bader Al-Refai
© Banker Middle East 2008
