NBB Recognised Among Forbes Middle East's Top 10 Listed Companies in Bahrain for 2025
This recognition further underscores NBB's broader objectives to deliver long-term value for shareholders and clients, reinforcing its position as a trusted institution and a pillar of Bahrain's financial industry.
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Al Bawaba
9 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
"Blue Homeland" at sea: Turkey challenges rivals with a modernized navy
Published August 17th, 2025 - 05:59 GMT ALBAWABA - With naval might as a major component of its regional policy, Turkey is once again demonstrating its might at sea, fifty years after its military intervention in Cyprus. What started out as a force mainly responsible for protecting the straits in 1974 has developed into a tool of influence that spans the Mediterranean, the Aegean, and the Black Sea. The "Blue Homeland" ideology, which was first proposed in the middle of the 2000s, is the foundation of this expansion. It states that more than 460,000 square kilometers of surrounding waters are vital to Turkey's security and sovereignty. In addition to spurring investments in naval modernization, this ideology has intensified disagreements over offshore gas development and maritime borders with Greece, Cyprus, and their European allies. When Turkey's fleet conducted simultaneous operations in the Black Sea, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean during the biggest naval exercises in its history in 2019, its aspirations were clearly visible. Many saw the exercise as a sign that Russia was prepared to defend its maritime claims against competing coalitions that were emerging in the area. By establishing a military facility in Somalia, trying to get port access in Sudan, and bolstering its presence in the Indian Ocean, Ankara has attempted to expand its influence outside of its nearby waterways. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish Navy has rapidly modernized. With the ability to deploy Bayraktar drones and helicopters, its flagship, the TCG Anadolu, has gone into service as the first drone carrier in history. Modern frigates and corvettes have been constructed by the MILGEM shipbuilding program, and the fleet is expanding with new Type-214 submarines. Plans are also in place to have a totally indigenous submarine within the next ten years. The TF-2000 destroyer and a new aircraft carrier called MUGEM are planned for the future, which would increase Turkey's military projection even more. In addition, Ankara has turned its shipbuilding sector into a geopolitical instrument and a financial asset by exporting weapons to countries like Pakistan, Ukraine, and Turkmenistan. Notwithstanding these developments, Turkey's naval ascent remains fraught with difficulties. In a regional conflict, competing coalitions of France, Israel, and Egypt may provide a powerful counterweight, while Greece's geographic advantage in the Aegean limits Turkish naval movement. 🇹🇷 Mavi Vatan'da bir kere daha tarih yazıldı! TCG İSTANBUL'da yer alan Roketsan'ın geliştirdiği Milli Dikey Atım Lançer Sistemi'nden ateşlenen HİSAR-D RF füzesi hedef uçağı imha etti. — Savunma Plus (@savunmaplus) August 15, 2025 Long-distance flights are challenging because to logistical constraints, especially in refueling capacity, and the nation's economic instability raises questions about the viability of such expensive initiatives. However, Turkey's strong reliance on imported energy forces it to gain access to disputed Eastern Mediterranean gas deposits, which exacerbates tensions in the region. According to analysts, Turkey has already shifted the balance of power in the waters around it and established itself as a vital regional player. Ankara's expanding fleet and strong maritime policy have made it impossible to ignore its aspirations, even though it is still far from becoming a global naval force. They claim that the current issue is not if Turkey has a powerful fleet but rather to what extent it plans to employ it. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
16 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Over 4.3 million guests visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in 2025
ABU DHABI, 17th August, 2025 (WAM) -- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi witnessed a significant increase in visitor numbers during the first half of 2025, welcoming a total of 4,346,831 guests, marking a 5 percent growth compared to the same period in 2024, reaffirming the mosque's position as a leading religious and cultural destination on the global stage. The guest count included 1,948,482 worshippers and fasting guests, 2,355,165 visitors from various nationalities, and 43,184 users of the Mosque's Jogging Track. The mosque hosted 127,672 worshippers during Friday prayers, 346,671 during daily prayers, and 575,372 during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr. Notably, the mosque recorded its highest number of worshippers on the 27th night of Ramadan (25 March 2025), with 72,710 worshippers, including 11,483 for Taraweeh prayers and 61,050 for Tahajjud prayers, in an atmosphere of serenity and spiritual reflection. As part of the 'Our Fasting Guests' initiative, the Centre collaborated with the Erth Zayed Philanthropies and its strategic partner Erth Hotel to distribute Iftar and Suhoor meals. The hotel prepared approximately 2.6 million meals, of which 898,767 were distributed at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, 442,345 at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Al Ain, 1,160,000 in labour cities across Abu Dhabi, and 105,935 in various areas of the Emirate. During the Eid Al-Adha holiday, the mosque welcomed 96,497 guests, including 41,385 worshippers—12,740 of whom performed Eid prayers—54,751 visitors, and 361 Jogging Track users. The number of vehicles that used the mosque's parking facilities reached 988,411. According to the Centre's statistics, 82 percent of visitors came from outside the UAE, while 18 percent were UAE nationals and residents. This reflects the mosque's growing prominence as a global cultural tourism landmark. In terms of regional distribution, Asia accounted for 49 percent of visitors, followed by Europe with 35 percent, North America with 10 percent, Africa with 3 percent, South America with 2 percent, and Australia with 1 percent. The top visiting countries were India (20 percent), China (9 percent), Russia (8 percent), USA (7 percent), Germany (4 percent), followed by France, UK, Italy, Philippines, and Poland, each contributing 3 percent of the total visitors. The Centre's Cultural Tour Specialists conducted 2,363 cultural tours, introducing guests to the mosque's message of peace, tolerance, and cross-cultural dialogue. The Centre also received 826 official delegation bookings, including 196 high-level delegations. These included visits from 6 Heads of State, 1 Vice President, 6 Prime Ministers, 4 Parliament Speakers, 1 Deputy Speaker, 3 Governors, 4 Sheikhs and Princes, 44 Ministers, 16 Deputy Ministers, 25 Ambassadors and Consuls, 52 Military Delegations, and 34 delegations from various official entities. To enhance the visitor experience, the Centre provided over 70 electric vehicles to transport worshippers from parking areas to prayer halls, prioritising the elderly and People of Determination. Additionally, more than 3,515 comfortable seats were provided for their comfort and 50 wheelchairs were made available to facilitate movement within the mosque. The Centre continued to enrich its offerings with innovative experiences, including public cultural tours, 'Unseen Glimpses' tours via electric vehicles, Souq Al Jami', the Jogging Track, and Night Cultural Tours (Sura Tour) available 24/7. The 'Sura' experience was designed specifically for transit passengers and those with limited time during their stay in Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, the Centre offers 'El-Delleel', a multimedia guide device that provides virtual cultural tours in 14 languages, including a sign language tour for the hearing impaired and child-friendly tours, ensuring an inclusive and enriching experience for all visitors.
Al Bawaba
16 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Sharjah Islamic Bank Holds First Draw of 'Millionaire' Campaign and Announces Winner of BMW XM
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has conducted the first draw of its 'Millionaire' Campaign, the largest promotional campaign in the Bank's history and one of the most prominent savings initiatives in the UAE banking sector. Launched on July 1, 2025, and running until July 2026, the campaign will distribute prizes worth AED 20 million, reflecting SIB's commitment to rewarding customer loyalty and promoting a culture of saving and smart first draw was held at SIB's headquarters in the presence of representatives from the Sharjah Department of Economic Development, alongside a number of the Bank's executives and employees, in a celebratory atmosphere that underscored SIB's dedication to delighting customers and honoring their the 'Millionaire 2025' Campaign, SIB reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting community-oriented saving habits. The campaign aligns with SIB's strategy to promote sound financial behaviour across all segments of society by offering smart saving solutions backed by tangible incentives. These efforts aim to help individuals build a more stable financial future while reinforcing SIB's pledge to launch large-scale savings campaigns that are substantial in both value and rewards. This approach reflects the Bank's mission to deliver exceptional banking experiences, reward loyalty, and encourage prudent investment, while recognizing customers' dedication to growing their savings safely and 20 Million in PrizesThe 'Millionaire' Campaign offers an impressive lineup of prizes totaling over AED 20 million to be awarded throughout the year.. The campaign features eight grand cash prizes of AED 1 million each, awarded quarterly, with four prizes dedicated to UAE nationals. It also celebrates national and religious occasions with four major seasonal prizes worth AED 2 million cash rewards, the campaign includes eight luxury BMW XM vehicles to be awarded through periodic draws, adding an exceptional incentive for participants. Additionally, monthly cash prizes ranging from AED 500 to AED 5,000 will be awarded to over 40 winners every month, significantly increasing participants' chances of Prizes and BMW XM Headline July DrawDuring the first draw, SIB announced the names of the July winners, which included a variety of cash prizes: 25 participants won AED 500 each, 10 participants won AED 1,000 each, and 5 winners received AED 5,000 each. The highlight of the draw was the grand prize, a luxury BMW XM, awarded to Ms. Fida Hassan Ahmed, marking a strong start to the campaign and heightening anticipation for upcoming Opportunities Still OpenSIB invites all current and new customers to open savings accounts or increase their savings balances to ensure automatic entry into the upcoming draws and enjoy the many benefits of the account, such as easy access to funds, competitive profit rates, and valuable cash prize opportunities. To make participation accessible to everyone, the Bank offers flexible and convenient ways to open a savings account, through the SIB Digital app, by sending the word 'Millionaire' via SMS to 6667, through SIB's website ( or by calling 065999999. For every ten thousand dirhams saved, customers earn an entry into the upcoming draws, making the savings account a practical gateway to achieving dreams and reinforcing SIB's position as a leading institution in the UAE banking sector.
