CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad (CIMB Islamic) has announced its platinum sponsorship of Faith Events’ 2024 series of Islamic educational events, featuring globally renowned speakers in the Islamic society. This esteemed series will showcase prominent figures such as Nouman Ali Khan and Dr. Omar Suleiman. Starting off the series will be Sonny Bill Williams Live in Malaysia, alongside Shaykh Wael Ibrahim.
Scheduled to take place on February 17th and 18th, 2024, at Menara Kembar Bank Rakyat, Kuala Lumpur, Sonny Bill Williams will engage audiences across two days with sessions titled “A Step Nearer to God” and “A Mile in My Shoes,” moderated by Shaykh Wael Ibrahim.
CIMB Islamic, Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, expressed the bank’s delight in partnering with Faith Events. He highlighted the significance of this platform in bringing together notable Islamic scholars and speakers to Malaysian audiences.
“We believe this unique platform of prominent speakers from different backgrounds and cultures will help to play an important role in fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the values that universally bridge our communities both in Malaysia and across the world. We hope a wide spectrum of attendees, including our customers, will gain inspiration from both Sonny Bill Williams and Shaykh Wael Ibrahim and their core values, which can be universally recognised by all, such as helping the underprivileged through philanthropic efforts.” he added.
Sonny Bill Williams, a sporting legend from New Zealand, boasts an illustrious career as a heavyweight boxer and former professional rugby player. Embracing Islam in 2009, he made history as the first Muslim to play for the All Blacks. Since then, he has been an advocate for the faith, promoting a deeper understanding of Islam through civil discourse and philanthropic initiatives.
Joining Sonny Bill Williams at the event is Shaykh Wael Ibrahim, an internationally acclaimed Islamic speaker from Egypt. As the founder and chairman of Serving Islam Team, based in Hong Kong, and a student counselor at the Australian Islamic College in Perth, Australia, Shaykh Wael brings valuable insights to the discussion.
Sonny Bill’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond the sports arena. In 2020, he donated his back-of-jersey spot to Gotcha4Life, an Australian mental fitness charity, alongside a generous AUD10,000 contribution. Additionally, he has been involved in fundraising for various Islamic infrastructure projects, including mosque developments.
Sonny Bill’s dedication to making a difference aligns seamlessly with CIMB Islamic’s commitment to creating lasting positive impacts on communities and society. Through this partnership, CIMB Islamic aims to inspire and empower individuals to uphold universal values and contribute to the betterment of society.
