Absa Islamic Banking has been awarded Best Islamic Bank in South Africa for the fourth successive year, the Barclays-owned South African bank revealed at the weekend.

This was announced at a prestigious ceremony in Dubai last week.

Afzal Seedat, Head of Absa Islamic Banking, said this was a “vote of confidence” from the bank’s clients, stakeholders and industry peers globally.

“The award provides us with the impetus to become the ‘Go-To’ bank in Shari’ah compliant finance for our customers,” Seedat said in a statement.

“The business has become entrenched in the South African market and we are proud that we continue to be known as a globally competitive player.”

This prize is based on the votes of readers of Islamic Finance News internationally.

Islamic Finance News is an important reference medium for those engaged in the Islamic finance industry across the globe. This include Australia, Syria, the UK, Lebanon, Iran, Kenya and, of course, the Middle East.

The annual awards have been held for the past eight years with 160 nominees in 36 categories. This demonstrates the increasing scope and spread of the Islamic banking and finance industry.

Absa Islamic Banking has been recognised  in the categories of Best Islamic Finance Deal for South Africa and Best Islamic Bank in Africa since the launch of the awards in 2006.

The awards won by Absa Islamic Banking since 2006 are: Best Islamic Finance Deal for South Africa, in 2007 and 2008: Best Islamic Bank in Africa and in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012: Best Islamic Bank in South Africa.