Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) announced today that its Sharia consultancy subsidiary, Dar Al Sharia Legal & Financial Consultancy LLC, has been named the "Leading Advisory Group" at the third Mediterranean Islamic Finance Conference in Malta. The award ceremony was held in the presidency palace and the award was presented to Khurram Abdullah, Senior Manager, Dar Al Sharia, by Joseph Church, Secretary to the Presidency of Malta, at a high profile ceremony attended by Islamic Finance experts from around the world.

Under the leadership of Dr. Hussain Hamed Hassan, Dar Al Sharia provides regional and international Sharia, legal and financial consultancy for all types of Islamic financing and investment transactions. The firm evolved from DIB's own Sharia Coordination Department, the first such entity launched by an Islamic bank.

Dar Al Sharia was recognised with the "Leading Advisory Group" award for its contribution to the development of the Islamic finance industry, and its dedication to raising awareness and increasing understanding of Sharia compliant finance in the region and globally.

"Dar Al Sharia takes great pride in receiving this prestigious award which recognises the important role the company has played in supporting the fast growing global Islamic finance industry," said Sohail Zubairi, Chief Executive Officer, Dar Al Sharia. "The success of Dar Al Sharia is due to the hard work and dedication of a team of world class professionals, but I would like to pay particular thanks to Dr. Hussain for his continued guidance in promoting the application of authentic Sharia practices around the globe."

The Mediterranean Awards for Global Excellence in Islamic Finance take place each year in Valetta, Malta as part of the Mediterranean Islamic Finance Conference.