Oberbank

Yesterday we were invited to a small launching of the Islamic Window by Oberbank. As soon as he finished work, hubby came home to fetch me, then we were off to the venue immediately as we did not want to be late for the appointment.

Guests started streaming in from 1900 hours onwards; as we walked in we were offered soft drinks while waiting for the function to start. The hall was full of guests, and the launching started exactly at 1935 hours as stated in the invitation card. The opening was officiated with the recital of the holy Quran by Dr. Abdullah Al Mosleh (btw we arrived at the hall together), who read the surah on Ribah.

Well known speakers took to the stage, what was amazing is that each speaker will actually speak in 3 languages, namely Arabic, German and English; this is so that the guests understand. Among the speakers was Dr. Khaled Mathkoor Al Mathkoor, he is a Member of the Sharia Committee of Kuwait Finance House. His speech was flawless and without a written script, though he was speaking in Arabic, I can’t help but note one of the things that he said in his speech; according to him what made many people homeless in the world today now, is because many banks are earning high interest from the home buyers, and due to the poor economic weather now, these people are made homeless as the bank took back their properties, due to failure to comply with the loan, and the property will be left abandoned as not many can also afford to buy properties without loan from the bank. However, Islamic Window now will offer loans to buyers with the assurance that they will not be made homeless in bad times.

The launching was without the normal fanfare of celebration that I have seen before, no door gift, no press kit, no colorful balloons decorating the hall, no stupid smoke machine, no loud ridiculous music, but was smooth sailing and everything on time. Guests were encouraged to fill up a form should they want to be kept informed of the bank’s product.

At exactly 2045 hours, guests were told to enjoy the buffet spread in the Gardens of the University, while we were walking out, the Imam took on the podium and recited the Maghrib azan. It was all on time, no nonsense, no faking it out, and press conference was carried out while guests were having the buffet.

A new experience for me and I admire the slickness on how the function was run. Thumbs, up for Oberbank.