A delegation of Shari’a supervisory representatives from Ahli United Bank Group recently concluded its participation in the AAOIFI 23 rd Annual Shari’a Boards Conference, organized by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) in cooperation with the Central Bank of Bahrain and held in Bahrain.

AUB’s participation stems from its keenness to develop the Islamic banking industry and continue supporting the advancement of financial products and services in compliance with Shari’a rules and principles, as the conference is one of the most prominent gatherings of Shari’a scholars and decision-makers to discuss various topics and developments in the Islamic financial industry worldwide.

The conference convened Shari’a scholars, leaders, and experts in the Islamic finance industry, alongside senior officials from central banks and supervisory authorities. Across five panel discussions held over two days, the conference explored the Shari’a aspects pertinent to the Islamic finance industry, focusing on Shari’a governance frameworks for its institutions. The event also featured several live and virtual dialogue sessions where prominent figures in Islamic finance presented their visions for the industry’s development, addressing challenges in upholding Shari’a principles in transactions and tackling current issues. Following this, four workshops were conducted, focusing on the governance and financial accounting standards issued by AAOIFI.

AUB Group’s participation in the conference represented an opportunity to exchange ideas, visions, and concepts with leading specialists in the Islamic banking industry, and to review the most important issues and topics in Islamic banking that require practical solutions and applications, especially that the Islamic banking sector needs continuous research and development efforts to address various issues facing its development.

AAOIFI, established in 1991 and based in Bahrain, is the leading international not-for-profit organization primarily responsible for development and issuance of standards for the global Islamic finance industry. It has issued a total of 100 standards in the areas of Shari’a, accounting, auditing, ethics, and governance for international Islamic finance. It is supported by a number of institutional members, including central banks and regulatory authorities, financial institutions, accounting and auditing firms, and legal firms from over 45 countries. Its standards are currently followed by leading Islamic financial institutions across the world and have introduced a progressive degree of harmonization to International Islamic finance practices.

Ahli United Bank B.S.C (c) (AUB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Shadi Zahran as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 13 April 2025.

Dr. Zahran brings a wealth of experience in the banking and financial services industry, having held key leadership roles across the region. Prior to joining AUB, he served as Senior Deputy Group CEO for Finance at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), where he played a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and enhancing financial performance. His extensive experience also includes serving as Group CFO at KFH and holding senior positions at Ahli United Bank in Bahrain and Kuwait earlier in his career.

With over two decades of expertise spanning Islamic banking, financial management, and corporate strategy, Dr. Zahran is well-equipped to lead AUB into its next phase of growth and innovation. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Hult international business school, an MBA from the University of Manchester, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Jordan, and several professional certifications, including CPA and CIPA.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Zahran said: “I am honoured to return to Ahli United Bank and take on this leadership role at such a transformative time for the organization. I look forward to working with the talented team at AUB to build on its strong foundations and deliver sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

The Board of Directors expressed their confidence in Dr. Zahran’s ability to steer the bank toward continued success, citing his proven track record of leadership and deep understanding of regional markets.

Ahli United Bank remains committed to delivering exceptional banking services while driving innovation and growth across its operations in the region and beyond.

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain: Ahli United Bank (AUB), a leading Islamic bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain, held a special ceremony at its Adliya branch to celebrate the winners of the March 2025 MyHassad draws. The event featured the delivery of the grand prize and monthly prizes in the presence of bank officials and the families of the winners.The March 2025 draws included Mr. Mohammed Al Khunaizi the winner of the special monthly grand prize of BD 100,000. Additionally, three customers received monthly prizes of BD 10,000 each, while ten other customers won the prizes of BD 1,000 each.

Mr. Mohamed Zakout, Deputy Group CEO – Retail Banking at AUB, stated, “We are proud to offer the MyHassad program, which underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of savings among our customers. The substantial prizes we offer not only incentivise saving but also reflect our vision of supporting the Bahraini community and providing valuable financial opportunities. We look forward to the next April draw, where the grand prize will be half a million dinars, enhancing our customers’ chances of realising their dreams.”

Mr. Mohammed Al Khunaizi who’s been a customer with the bank for the last two and half years expressed his overall satisfaction with the different products offered by AUB and he also expressed his excitement, by saying: “This win marks a significant moment in my life. I am grateful to AUB and the MyHassad program for this incredible opportunity, and I am excited to invest this prize in a way that brings my family and me more comfort and stability.”

Customers can open a MyHassad account through digital channels, such as the AUB app, or by visiting one of the bank’s branches. Additionally, to make further deposits, customers can do so via the AUB app, online banking services, or through the BenfitPay App.