In a deeply moving and intellectually rich morning, Ahlia University opened a window onto the dreams and milestones of Bahrain’s financial legacy through a cultural symposium that honored one of its most distinguished figures, Mr. Adnan Ahmed Yousef Abdulmalik, one of the Arab world’s foremost banking pioneers.
The event was presented by Mr. Osama Mahran, the University’s Media Advisor, and attended by Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, alongside the University’s President, Professor Mansoor Alaali. The event evolved into a powerful and emotional moment of shared reflection on leadership, resilience, and the far-reaching impact of visionaries in the banking sector.
Mr. Adnan, former President of the Union of Arab Banks and Chairman of the Bahrain Association of Banks, captivated the audience with an autobiographical account that unfolded across three defining chapters. His journey began in Bahrain, nurtured by national values that shaped his sense of responsibility and commitment to education. Rising from junior banking roles, he steadily carved a path to executive leadership, ultimately becoming one of the Arab world’s most recognized financial minds. He chaired boards of banks across continents and contributed fundamentally to the evolution of Islamic banking.
Mr. Adnan highlighted the strategic transformation he led as CEO of Al-Baraka Banking Group from 2004 to 2020, during which the Group expanded its assets to over $40 billion, established more than 700 branches, and created over 13,200 jobs across Asia, Africa, and Europe. He explained that Bahrain was a regional pioneer in syndicating project loans in the 1970s and 80s, citing his role in managing a $750 million project for Algeria’s national oil company in 1983 as a testament to Bahrain’s capacity and international financial relevance. He also recalled Bahrain’s early leadership in Islamic banking, beginning with the Arab Banking Corporation Islamic Bank in 1986. With an initial capital of $200 million, it became a foundational force in the Islamic finance industry, inspiring the launch of institutions such as the Islamic British Bank and the European Islamic Bank.
In a deeply personal gesture, Mr. Adnan talked about the individuals who shaped his path, including Shaikh Saleh Kamel, Founder of the Dallah Al-Baraka Group, who believed in an ethical economy and placed Bahrain at the heart of his financial vision. He also recognized Mr. Abdulla Al Saudi, a key figure in Arab banking and a catalyst in attracting regional talent to Bahrain’s financial institutions.
Ahlia University honored Mr. Adnan Ahmed Yousef Abdulmalik for his lifelong contributions to the banking sector and his enduring influence on generations of professionals.
