Emirates Islamic wins Best Marketing Campaign at Cards & Payment Awards 2025
Dubai, UAE: Emirates Islamic, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in the UAE, has won the prestigious 'Best Marketing Campaign' at the Cards & Payments Awards 2025 for its highly successful revamp of the Emarati Credit Card.
The award, presented at the inaugural edition of Cards & Payments Awards Middle East, recognises the innovative and impactful marketing campaign that significantly enhanced customer relevance and deepened engagement with the Emirati segment. The Cards & Payments Awards Middle East recognises best practices, innovation and excellence in the cards and payment industry.
Mohamed Al Hadi, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates Islamic, said: 'This award represents Emirates Islamic's commitment to providing tailored financial solutions that resonate with our customers. The Emarati Credit Card revamp campaign stood out in a highly competitive field, which included leading local and international card and payment industry institutions operating in the UAE. Winning this award underscores the exceptional creativity, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication of our teams.'
He added: 'The success of the campaign was built upon three key pillars: the incorporation of renowned Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej, who designed the card; a deep understanding of the evolving needs and aspirations of Emirates Islamic's Emirati customers; and the dedication and collaborative spirit of our cross-functional teams, which brought the campaign to life with passion and excellence.'
Beyond its creative and strategic impact, the campaign also yielded impressive commercial results. Emirates Islamic's card acquisition surged by 95% during the launch month of May 2024, and spending experienced a robust 24% growth between May and December 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness in driving both customer engagement and significant portfolio growth.
About Emirates Islamic:
Emirates Islamic (DFM: EIB), part of Emirates NBD Group, is a leading Islamic financial institution in the UAE. Established in 2004 as Emirates Islamic Bank, the bank has established itself as a major player in the highly competitive financial services sector in the UAE.
Emirates Islamic offers a comprehensive range of Shariah-compliant products and services across the Personal, Business and Corporate banking spectrum with a network of 40 branches and 229 ATMs/CDMs across the UAE. In the fast-growing area of online and mobile banking, the bank is an innovator, being the first Islamic bank in the UAE to launch a mobile banking app and offer Apple Pay, as well as being the first Islamic bank in the world to launch Chat Banking services for customers via WhatsApp.
Emirates Islamic has consistently received local and international awards, in recognition of its strong record of performance and innovation in banking. Emirates Islamic was recognized as 'Best Overall Islamic Bank' and 'Most Innovative Islamic Bank' at the Islamic Finance News Awards 2024. The Bank was also named the 'Most Innovative Islamic Bank' at the prestigious Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards 2024.
As part of its commitment to the UAE community, the Emirates Islamic Charity Fund provides financial aid to those in need, with a focus on food, shelter, health, education and social welfare contributions.
For further information please visit www.emiratesislamic.ae
Or please contact:
Amina Al Zarooni
Media Relations Manager, Emirates Islamic
Email: AminaAlZarooni@emiratesislamic.ae
Burson
Dubai, UAE
Email: ei@bm.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
28 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Energy drinks from date pits? Emirati maker proves it's possible
Pastries, rice, energy drinks, cosmetics, soups, and more. Emirati maker Noora Al Mazroui creates all of these using one item only: date pits. Al Mazroui has always believed that every part of the palm tree has value. Her journey started with a question: Why are date pits thrown away after eating the fruit? "The palm tree begins with a pit and ends with a pit," the 60-year-old Al Mazroui told Khaleej Times. As a child, she liked sewing and taking care of trees, and her father taught her how to care for palm trees and other plants. Balancing motherhood with work In the 1980s, she and her husband received their share of farmland from the late Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's founding father, who allocated land to citizens. She began planting palm trees and wondered why the pits were not being utilised. This question prompted her to conduct research and experiment with new ideas. Al Mazroui, a mother of eight, spent her free time crafting traditional items from palm fronds. She created 'Sarood', which consists of mats for placing food, baskets for carrying dates, and umbrellas made from palm fronds. "In 2004, I participated in the Liwa Date Festival. I wanted to showcase something unique. I made date pickles (Achar), kohl (eyeliner), charcoal, and incense from date pits. I also combined 'Sarood' with 'Talli' to create new designs," she explained. Food and drinks from the pit When she discovered that date pits are not waste and can be utilised, Al Mazroui started creating products using only date pits. One of her innovations is flour made from date pits, which she uses to prepare pastries, pasta, crackers, biscuits, cakes, and even rice. In addition to food, she also made beverages, including coffee, tea, soups, energy drinks, and soda. 'When I sent the drink to the lab, they informed me that it qualifies as an energy drink," she said. Al Mazroui also utilises date pits in various ways. She creates products that enhance skin beauty, including kohl, body scrubs, and skincare items. "My work focuses on transforming by-products into food, medicine, care products, and beverages without harming nature,' Al Mazroui explained. Her efforts aligned with establishing a circular economy. She draws inspiration from Sheikh Zayed, who emphasized the importance of farming by stating, "We focused on farming because we want to live well and rely on ourselves." "Everything contributes to reducing waste and protecting the environment. It also preserves the legacy of the palm tree. This is not merely a product; it represents progress for our country, land, and future generations." Simple process Al Mazroui described her process of transforming date pits into valuable products. She begins by gathering them from known sources. After washing, boiling, and drying the pits, she grinds them in two stages until they become powdered. She noted, "This powder is sent to a laboratory to ensure its safety before being packaged in sealed containers. " What makes it special is not just the production process but the ingredients it contains. The pit is rich in fibre, minerals, and antioxidants, aiding digestion and contributing to the body's overall strength. 'Making these products benefits the economy by converting waste into useful products. It enhances food safety by providing options sourced from the UAE," she stated. Al Mazroui used basic tools in her home to create unique dishes. She began by experimenting with local ingredients and introduced date pit flour to her recipes. She incorporated it in small amounts into pasta, coffee, and tea. She sent these products to laboratories for testing to ensure their safety. " I would never offer anything to people unless I knew it was safe," she stated. 'Hoping to grow and teach' As her recipes proved successful, she meticulously documented each step and method. "I wanted to keep track of it all and maybe share it one day," Al Mazroui shared. When she participates in exhibitions and requires larger quantities of products, she collaborates with factories to produce them, as her home tools are insufficient for those needs. She hopes her work can educate children in the future. She aims to grow her project to create more food, care, and health items derived from the land and the story of the UAE, all crafted with care and scientific principles.
Gulf Business
2 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Insights: Gulf ports face new security challenges as trade ambitions accelerate
Image: Supplied Ports have evolved beyond their role as trade gateways. Today, they stand as critical pillars of national resilience and economic continuity. In the modern-world, where over 80 per cent of global trade moves by sea and the Gulf plays a central role in global energy and logistics, port security should not be viewed as a cost or a compliance exercise. It must be treated as a vital economic enabler. Without strong and modern security, the Gulf's ambitions to lead in manufacturing, trade, and supply chain integration will remain a challenge. At the recent 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, the UAE laid out a bold industrial vision. Officials highlighted that local manufacturers can now access a global market of 2.5 billion people. Free zones, re-export hubs, and logistics corridors powered by ports including The threat landscape is escalating Port security has moved far beyond fences and surveillance cameras. Today, it involves tackling everything from phishing attempts and cyber intrusions to insider threats and the growing risk posed by smuggling, irregular migration, modern-day slavery and autonomous drones. According to the Center for Internet Security, malware-based attacks rose by 30 per cent in the first half of 2024, with a staggering 92 per cent increase recorded in May alone. These figures are not abstract. They represent very real risks that port operators face daily while trying to maintain efficient operations. Rising geopolitical tensions, from unrest in the Red Sea to broader regional flashpoints, are putting new pressure on Gulf ports. Ensuring their resilience is no longer just about protecting trade. It is now central to national security and regional stability. Compliance is the starting line, not the finish Most Gulf ports meet the basic international security standards under the ISPS Code. But that is not enough. Compliance provides a framework, not a solution. Too often, operators treat it as a checklist rather than a foundation. True resilience requires a different mindset. Port security should not be seen as an obstacle to trade but as a core pillar of competitiveness.. Jebel Ali Port is a leading example. Its global reputation was not earned by simply meeting minimum standards. Its success is the result of ongoing risk assessments, continuous training, and a proactive approach to every aspect of security – particularly in its adoption of technology and its integration into its production primacy approach. This is a model that other ports in the region can learn from and adapt. Integration is the future of security Modern ports function as complex ecosystems. They bring together free zones, logistics providers, customs authorities, and digital infrastructure into a single operational environment. Within this space, security must be fully integrated. Physical access control, cybersecurity protocols, intelligent surveillance, and emergency response planning all need to work together as one. Technology plays a critical role. From biometric access systems to artificial intelligence for threat detection, there are advanced tools that can help enhance security. However, these tools are only effective when guided by skilled professionals with the right training. As Bill Gates once noted, automation applied to an inefficient operation only magnifies the inefficiency. Without strong processes and capable people, even the best technology will fall short. The Gulf's advantage must be used wisely The Gulf has already demonstrated that it can deliver world-class infrastructure. The next frontier is building secure infrastructure that can adapt and evolve with emerging risks. This will require moving beyond paper-based plans and embracing real-world testing. Scenario-based exercises and crisis simulations should become standard practice. Security cannot be a one-time investment. It must be embedded into the daily culture of port operations. Governments and private sector operators must also collaborate more closely. Intelligence sharing, regional coordination, and the development of Gulf-specific security standards can raise the overall r At the heart of this transformation is human capital. The region must invest in developing a new generation of trained and trusted security professionals who understand both physical and digital threats. Security is an investment in growth A single breach at a Gulf port would do more than delay containers. It could disrupt entire supply chains, shake investor confidence, and damage the region's reputation as a dependable trade partner. In a global economy driven by trust, security is no longer optional. It is a non-negotiable investment in sustainable growth. One of the Gulf's strengths lies in its ability to build with foresight. Unlike older ports that are burdened with legacy systems, Gulf ports can design modern security architecture from day one. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have already begun this journey by introducing smart surveillance systems, AI-driven monitoring, and integrated command centers. These are promising steps, but more must be done. A final question for the region Port security should not be treated as a side function or a technical afterthought. It is central to growth, to national strength, and to the region's future as a global trade and industrial hub. The Gulf can lead not just in port development but in redefining what secure, resilient trade infrastructure looks like for the rest of the world. As the region accelerates toward a more industrial and interconnected future, one question must be asked. Are we just expanding our ports, or are we securing our prosperity? The answer will determine how far and how smart, secure, and geen the Gulf travels on the path to economic leadership. The writer is the CEO at Neptune P2P Group.
Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE-Pakistan trade set to exceed $7b in 2025
The bilateral trade relations between the UAE and Pakistan are set to cross $7 billion by 2025. The UAE is a major trading partner for Pakistan, and the two countries are also working on agreements to enhance cooperation in various sectors like trade, investment, and cultural exchange. Kiran Khawaja, CEO of Dubai-based Fajar Realty, whowas recently honored as a 'Guest of Honour' in recognition of her efforts in the real estate industry at Gulf Achievers Awards stated, "I am really happy, and it is a great privilege to be recognised as 'Guest of Honour' at the award show. I am proud of the impact I have been able to make in the Emirates, and Dubai in particular, which is the major hub for international trade and investment with a booming real estate market.' Further stating Kiran revealed, 'The bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE exceeded $10.9 billion in the fiscal year 2023–24, including both goods and services." "While interacting with the media he also disclosed that remittances from the Pakistani community in the UAE reached $6.7 billion in 2024, and are expected to surpass $7 billion in 2025. These figures reflect not only the strength of our economic partnership, but also the vital role played by the Pakistani diaspora in supporting the national economy,' the ambassador stated.' Kiran has always been in the limelight and has won many awards and recognition in her illustrious 18-year journey. It may be recalled that Kiran has won many accolades and awards for her hard work and zeal. She walked away with 'Asia Business Outlook Top 10 Most Promising Global Leaders From Pakistan 2023' and the much-coveted 'Being She Excellence Best Real Estate Broker 2023'. Further adding to her accolades are an array of awards, with FajarRealty securing honours such as the 'DAMAC Top Performing Agency', the 'Azizi Agents Award Gala 2023', and the 'Emaar Token of Appreciation Award'. Additionally, they were given the Menaa Leadership Award for 2023 and many more. Under the leadership of Kiran, Fajar Realty has traversed a long way and has carved a niche in the world of real estate not only in Dubai but overseas as well. Recognising the immense innovation and continued growth plans for real estate in Dubai and the greater Middle East, Kiran has become immersed in Dubai's booming real estate industry for over two decades now, one of the city's most important business sectors, and hopes to bring more international investors to this city.
