Dr. Haitham is a visionary leader who has established himself as a dynamic and significant leader in the banking industry with his path, which demonstrates a strong commitment to quality and innovation.
He is an experienced banking leader with over two decades of leadership in banking operations, digital transformation, and strategic growth. His career is marked by his ability to deliver significant business results, including cost optimization, revenue growth, and enhanced customer experiences. He has held several key leadership positions across prominent financial institutions in the Middle East.
Career Trajectory
Dr. Haitham’s journey reflects a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, positioning him as a dynamic and influential leader in the banking sector. His transformational journey began in 2009, as the Deputy CEO at SAFWA Bank, where he played a pivotal role in transforming the bank, leading to significant growth in assets and net income, and spearheading the rebranding project from Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank to Safwa Bank. In 2018, he assumed the COO position at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank in UAE where he led large scale transformations and implement high-impact initiatives. His focus on cost efficiency, product innovation, and customer service improvements underscored his operational acumen and commitment to organizational growth.
In his current role as at Misk Bank in Iraq, Dr. Jouher played a pivotal role in building Misk Bank from scratch as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). His expertise in establishing strong operational foundations, ensuring compliance, and driving innovation through digital tools has been central to the bank’s development. With extensive experience in streamlining processes, enhancing customer experience, and implementing risk management frameworks, Haitham has been instrumental in creating a robust banking institution aligned with modern banking standards and Sharia principles. He acted as key architect in the bank’s establishment and transformation, Dr. Haitham’s leadership laid the foundation for MISK Bank’s development and implementation of corporate and operational strategies, and leverage innovative solutions and digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and customer offerings.
Dr. Jouher’s recognition as a transformational leader and excellence in management is a testament to his visionary leadership and impact on the banking industry. This could be seen in the winning of King Abdullah II Performance Excellence Award Jordan. This is a reflection to his ability to lead change, foster innovation, and promote excellence across organizations.
Haitham’s Leadership Philosophy
Fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and accountability is central to Dr. Haitham’s leadership philosophy as the COO of Misk Islamic Bank. When teams are given the proper tools, defined goals, and the ability to decide within a framework which aligns with the bank’s mission and core values, he believes that this empowers them to make decisions.
Dr. Haitham places strategic alignment, operational excellence, team building, and a customer centric approach as top priorities to make sure the bank’s objectives are in line with this vision. His goal in establishing these guidelines is to strike a balance between promoting success and upholding the moral standards and integrity that characterize Misk Islamic Bank.
The Strategic Priorities for Misk Islamic Bank
Creating a solid foundation for long term expansion, encouraging innovation, and guaranteeing adherence to Sharia law will be Misk Islamic Bank’s top strategic priority in the coming years. Dr. Haitham’s role as COO is to make sure that these plans are carried out successfully and that the group keeps operational excellence while remaining adaptable in a changing financial environment.
The Noteworthy Initiatives
Misk Islamic Bank is deeply committed to promoting social development and economic growth, with a focus on aligning these efforts with Islamic values of fairness, equity, and ethical stewardship. “We aim to create a positive and lasting impact through initiatives that support financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, community development, and sustainability, “says Dr. Haitham. The major initiatives :
- Launching an Islamic microfinance program to provide accessible financial services to low-income individuals and microentrepreneurs.
- Established a Sharia-compliant SME financing program that offers leasing structures (Ijara) to small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Developing Sharia-compliant affordable housing programs that use Ijara (Islamic leasing ).
- Providing financial support for students pursuing higher education, particularly in Islamic finance and economics, to underprivileged communities.
- Rolling out financial literacy strategies to provide education on Sharia-compliant financial management, savings, and investment strategies.
The Growth Opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Misk Islamic Bank has significant growth potential in Iraq and the region due to rising demand for Shariah-compliant banking, economic diversification efforts, and digital transformation. The fintech revolution is rapidly transforming banking across the MENA region and Iraq in particular. Misk Islamic Bank can leverage this trend by launching digital banking platforms and fintech solutions. With increasing affluence and the rise of ethical investing, there is substantial demand for Shariahcompliant investment products such as Islamic mutual real estate investment. Misk Islamic Bank can cater to institutional and retail investors by offering a diverse range of Islamic asset management products.
The Notable Trends in Islamic Banking and Finance
Islamic banking and finance are transforming due to trends reshaping the industry regionally and globally. The rapid rise of fintech in the banking industry is revolutionizing Islamic finance.
Misk Islamic Bank is building a robust digital banking platform that provides seamless, Sharia-compliant financial services. From mobile banking and peer to-peer lending to digital payments and blockchain based contracts, the focus is on leveraging technology to meet customer needs efficiently and transparently.
Sustainable finance, particularly green finance, is becoming increasingly important as governments and investors prioritize environmentally responsible projects. The Misk Islamic Bank is actively pursuing opportunities in green finance by financing projects related to renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-friendly developments.
Harnessing the Latest Technologies for Better Services
Misk Islamic Bank is strategically leveraging technology to enhance its service. It has recently launched digital and mobile banking platforms, enabling customers to access their accounts, perform transactions, and manage finances. The bank is also looking into using Blockchain technology to support Shariacompliant contracts and transactions. Blockchain’s decentralized ledger can ensure the transparency, accuracy, and security of financial operations, particularly in areas like Sukuk issuance, trade finance, and asset backed transactions. Misk Islamic Bank is also integrating AI and data analytics to offer personalized services, including investment advice, financial planning, and credit scoring. AI-driven algorithms help assess customer needs and offer tailored products.
Collaborations to Assure Innovation in Islamic Banking
Customers are looking for seamless tech-driven financial solutions more and more as the fintech industry develops and advances. Forming alliances with fintech’s is a great way to use cutting-edge technology while yet upholding Sharia law.
Dr. Haitham believes the bank will be able to provide a fully digital, Sharia-compliant banking experience by collaborating with fintech companies who specialize in digital banking platforms. Working with fintech companies that focus on artificial intelligence and data analytics can change how the business evaluates credit risk and extends credit. Furthermore, collaborating with fintech’s that provide digital payment solutions compliant with Sharia law can greatly expand the range and ease of Islamic banking services.
Striking a Balance Between Innovation and Sharia Principles
Misk Islamic Bank is committed to pursuing future growth while ensuring that its innovations drive value and adhere to Islamic values. The team maintains close collaboration with the Sharia advisory board to ensure all new products, services, and innovations align with Islamic principles. The Sharia advisors are engaged from the early stages of product development, allowing the Misk Islamic team to identify and address any concerns before an idea or product is finalized. Haitham always focuses on creating products that offer ethical financial solutions, such as leasing arrangements (Ijara) and others. The team is cautious in adopting AI and big data, ensuring that any use of these technologies’ respects Islamic principles of privacy and fairness.
Strategies for Staying Ahead in the Changing Islamic Financial Sector
Dr. Haitham aims to establish Misk Islamic Bank as the market leader in cutting-edge banking solutions. He sees the bank adhering to Sharia law while broadening its clientele, improving services, and setting new benchmarks for customer satisfaction.
Dr. Haitham and his group intend to keep making investments in digital platforms in order to provide smooth, mobile-first banking experiences. In addition, they intend to concentrate on forming alliances with Islamic fintech firms and incorporating cutting-edge technologies like big data, blockchain, and artificial intelligence into the systems.
Offering individualized products that satisfy each customer’s unique needs while abiding by the rules of Islamic financing is their aim. By increasing the scope of their Islamic microfinance programs, they also hope to play a significant role in advancing financial inclusion.