Emirates Islamic Bank announces winners of card design competition for talented young artists

Emirates Islamic Bank, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in the UAE, today announced the winner of the recently completed card design competition for talented young artists. Aisha Anoohi and Amna Al Suwaidi were declared the winners of the competition, which was held in coordination with Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej, giving talented young artists the opportunity to have their work featured on a new payment card. 

Young artists from across the UAE were invited by the bank to visit the Marsam Mattar Art Gallery in Dubai, and work alongside Mattar bin Lahej, to create innovative designs for Emirates Islamic Bank’s upcoming credit and debit card range. The winning design received a cash prize of AED 5,000 prize and will be featured on the new card range that is targeted at young people. Three runners up - Mira Bin Lahej, Mira Saeed and Buthaina Bin Lahej each received AED 1,000. 

“With payment cards becoming an essential aspect of wallet items, there is greater focus on the look and feel of the card, and this trend is most noticeable among young people, who are very conscious of appearances,” said Faisal Aqil, Deputy CEO of Consumer Wealth Management at Emirates Islamic Bank. “We believe this presented an excellent opportunity to encourage and nurture the artistic talents of young people, and hence we gave them the opportunity to be guided by an accomplished artist like Mattar bin Lahej. Through this competition, Emirates Islamic Bank is delighted to offer young artists in the UAE an opportunity to enter the world of commercial art.” 

Bin Lahej founded the Marsam Mattar Art Gallery in order to extend his artistic expertise to young people across the UAE. Since opening in 2003, more than 600 students have learnt to paint with acrylic and oil, to draw, to sculpt and to make handicrafts, among other creative projects. 

Bin Lahej said: “When I was growing up I never felt I had the support I needed in developing my talents, as art wasn’t regarded as a ‘proper career’ by those around me, so I am delighted to share my knowledge with young artists today. Running a competition like this is a great way to encourage them to display their talent.”