As part of its initiatives launched under its corporate social responsibility wing “Sohar Al Atta”, Bank Sohar recently contributed towards the Al Noor Association for the Blind – Muscat Branch. The funds are intended for the purchase of computers devices as well as training members on how to use them.

Commenting on the Bank’s support, Ms. Munira Abdulnabi Macki, GM–HR and Corporate Support, said: “We are committed towards giving back to our society and building capacities across all sections of the local community. As a socially responsible financial institution, Bank Sohar has a long history of being a stalwart supporter to aid organizations, providing them with resources to implement change for progress. Therefore, we are happy to once again be a contributor to the cause of the visually impaired as these individuals can – with proper support – be economically productive and reintegrated into mainstream society.”

Mr. Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, Senior AGM and Head of Marketing and Customer Experience from Bank Sohar handed over the cheque at association head quarter to Mr. Ibrahim Hamdon Al Harthi, Chairman of the Al Noor Association.

The extent of Bank Sohar’s assistance towards the Al Noor Association covers a wide range of projects ever since it began supporting the association in 2009. Last year, the bank contributed funds towards the purchase of iPhones with built-in Voice Over applications to improve communication and mobility for the visually impaired. In addition to supporting the association head quarter in Muscat, Bank Sohar has supported the association’s branches in Sohar, Salalah as Nizwa as well.

Mr. Ibrahim Hamdon Al Harthi, Chairman of the Al Noor Association for the Blind, said, “We are immensely grateful to Bank Sohar for supporting our initiatives all these years. They have extended tremendous support towards important projects undertaken as part of our mission to serve the interests and needs of the visually impaired. Through its show of consistent support, the bank emphasizes the importance of private sector involvement and corporate responsibility in community development. Once again, we thank them and hope to enjoy their continuous support.”

Bank Sohar’s contribution forms part of its 2017 fourth quarter donations towards social development organizations that promote community empowerment. It joins several other initiatives under a comprehensive CSR strategy that provides crucial financial assistance to numerous social development associations across the country. They range from child care centers, associations devoted to disability causes and charity associations and much more. Over the years, Bank Sohar has supported over 30 organisations numerous times around the Sultanate under its social responsibility program striving to ensure that its contributions are carefully planned and evaluated in order to diversify and reach the maximum number of people - especially those in most need of it - offering recipients positive support and making meaningful change.

In recognition of its contributions, Bank Sohar has received numerous accolades for its CSR efforts locally, regionally, and internationally. The most recent of these awards was the ‘Golden Order of Merit in the field of CSR’ from the Arab Organization for Social Responsibility in UAE. This award is the fourth that the Bank has received from the Arab Organization for Social Responsibility for this category.

The Al Noor Association for the Blind was established to address the needs of Oman’s visually impaired citizens in matters pertaining to society, economy, welfare, education, health and instruction in Braille. Its chief objective is to prepare and implement plans and programs that aim to improve the living standards of visually challenged citizens in Oman.

For more information on Bank Sohar and Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme, please visit www.soharinternational.com or call 24730000. You can also follow the Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sohar.intl, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sohar_intl or join the conversation on Twitter @sohar_intl.