In alignment with the strategic direction of Oman Vision 2040, "Decent and sustainable Life for All," Sohar International and its Islamic banking window, Sohar Islamic, announced their main sponsorship of the 9th mass wedding in the Wilayat of Bahla. The grand celebratory event, which brought together 34 grooms, took place at the Bahla Club stadium on July 17, beautifully reflecting the spirit of community solidarity and cohesion. Through this sponsorship, both banks reaffirmed their relentless efforts to strengthen social harmony by aligning their initiatives with the actual needs of the community. By providing the necessary financial support, they aim to foster social stability and well-being through institutional partnerships that propel the developmental efforts of local civil society organizations.
Embodying the core values of Omani society, the ceremony was organized by the Bahla Voluntary Team under the patronage of H.E Said Bin Ali Bin Ahmed Al Salf Al Nuaimi, Wali of Bahla. The event drew a massive gathering of attendees from various wilayats across the Sultanate and the GCC countries. The celebration featured traditional chants and folk performances, alongside the honoring of the grooms and sponsoring entities, all made possible through the dedicated efforts of local volunteers.
Commenting on this occasion, Fahad Al Zadjali, Chief Islamic Banking Officer at Sohar Islamic, stated: "Our relentless efforts at Sohar Islamic underscore our commitment to creating opportunities that foster social responsibility, as well as economic and social empowerment. Guided by this vision, our sponsorship of the mass wedding in the Wilayat of Bahla directly contributes to easing the financial burdens associated with marriage, while providing honorable and equitable opportunities for the youth. Additionally, it stimulates the local services and markets associated with such events. This initiative is part of an integrated social development path pioneered by both banks, which began with the introduction of Oman's first interest-free marriage loan. We will continue on this path, investing in initiatives that enhance family stability and drive social and economic development in the country."
Furthermore, Mahmood Hamdan Al Gharibi, Branch Manager - Nizwa Branch, remarked: "Driven by a developmental philosophy that goes beyond traditional banking, we place the issues and challenges of our local community at the forefront of our priorities. We fully recognize the deep implications of the rising costs of marriage, which have led to a decline in marriage rates and directly impacted demographic trends and economic growth. Therefore, we view our support for this mass wedding as a strategic responsibility to empower youth and build stable families capable of driving development and ensuring social security—thereby transforming corporate social responsibility into a sustainable national partnership that enhances the resilience of the local economy."
This support is an extension of Sohar International and Sohar Islamic’s continuous and proven track record of empowering Omani youth and supporting community-led initiatives across various governorates. This is especially true in the Wilayat of Bahla, which serves as a fertile and vibrant hub for community initiatives. Both banks have previously played a prominent role in sponsoring hallmark events in the wilayat, such as the "Sloot Archaeological Race" and the "Extreme Bahla" event. These comprehensive sponsorships reflect the banks' unwavering commitment to supporting youth and sports activities, which are underscored by the strategic directions of Oman Vision 2040 as a cornerstone for community development and building a stable, prosperous future generation.
By adopting this approach, Sohar International and Sohar Islamic continue to solidify their corporate social responsibility through national partnerships that meet the aspirations of Omani society, driving national development toward building a fully empowered nation.
