Al-Arafah Islami Bank celebrates 30th anniversary

Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC has marked its 30th founding anniversary. Established on 27 September 1995 with the slogan "Always Shariah", the bank observed the milestone on 28 September with doa and discussion programmes at its head office and across 226 branches and 88 sub-branches nationwide.

Chairman Khaja Shahriar attended the head office programme as chief guest. Executive Committee Chairman Md Abdul Wadud, Risk Management Committee Chairman Md Shaheen Ul Islam, and Board Audit Committee Chairman Mohammad Ashraful Hasan FCA were also present. Managing Director (current charge) Md Rafat Ullah Khan presided over the ceremony.

In his address, Khaja Shahriar thanked customers, well-wishers and partners, saying: "Your trust, cooperation and affection have been the main driving force of this long journey. After the Bangladesh Bank board was reconstituted, we initiated positive changes based on corporate governance, transparency and accountability. We are the country's first Islamic bank to implement a centralised reporting line. Another key priority is digital transformation, through which we are offering modern, technology-driven services. InshaAllah, these efforts will establish Al-Arafah Islami Bank as the best Islamic bank in the country."

Executive Committee Chairman Abdul Wadud said: "Our 30 years of experience and achievements are captured in today's tagline, 'With three decades of trust, always by your side.' With 226 branches, 88 sub-branches, more than 750 agent outlets and a workforce of 6,500 employees, we have built a strong distribution network and manpower base to become one of the largest balance-sheet banks in the country."

Risk Management Committee Chairman Shaheen Ul Islam said the bank had matured over 30 years and was now poised to move forward, while Board Audit Committee Chairman Mohammad Ashraful Hasan FCA noted that in Bangladesh's context, running a bank successfully for 30 years was a major achievement, though challenges remain ahead.

Managing Director (current charge) Rafat Ullah Khan expressed gratitude to customers, stakeholders and officials, saying: "It is through collective efforts that Al-Arafah Islami Bank has reached this position. The past year has seen significant changes, and this 30th anniversary marks a new beginning. Through technology-driven services, ethical banking practices and welfare-oriented activities, we have always sought to earn people's trust."

Deputy managing directors Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Md Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury, Md Asadur Rahman Bhuiyan, Mohammad Hossain and SM Abu Zafar, along with divisional heads, senior executives, branch managers, sub-branch in-charges, customers and well-wishers also joined the event virtually.

Over three decades, Al-Arafah Islami Bank has established itself as a symbol of trust in Bangladesh's economy. It now serves four million customers, with deposits worth Tk54,500 crore. Its nationwide network includes 226 branches, 88 sub-branches, 750 agent outlets, 252 ATMs and CRMs, alongside digital platforms such as AIB i-Banking and Islamic Wallet, offering fast and secure transactions anytime, anywhere.