BNI Syariah is playing an increasingly central role in the transactional needs of Indonesia’s Muslim majority market through the launch of its Hajj and Umrah card. Partnering with MasterCard and Al-Rajhi Bank, BNI Syariah is expanding the range of amenities available to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in conducting their financial transactions while in Saudi Arabia. This novel product underscores BNI Syariah's capacity to continuously evolve in line with Indonesia's emerging consumer habits and the rising demand for shariah compliant banking that offers ease of access both locally and globally.
The Hajj and Umrah card is Indonesia’s first debit card that is synergised with the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage. By using the Hajj and Umrah card, customers have a safer and more convenient alternative means to carrying large volumes of cash during their travels; moreover the card facilitates the transactional needs of customers by offering improved convenience for cash withdrawals and all other financial transactions. The card therefore provides a ready solution to the persistent issue of financial losses often experienced by pilgrims due to misplaced cash as a result of not having a bank account. Holders of a Hajj and Umrah savings account with a minimum deposit of 1,500 SAR or 5 million IDR and are ready to depart for Hajj or Umrah are eligible for the product.
BNI Syariah’s partnerships with MasterCard and Al-Rajhi bank, one of the world’s prominent Islamic banks, has given its customers access to the largest network of ATM’s and retail outlets in Saudi Arabia. Such ATMs have the added advantage of now offering the use of Bahasa Indonesia as an instruction language, granting customers complete peace of mind when undertaking their pilgrimage.
The bank recently received the ‘Most Innovative Product in the Shariah Market’ award from MasterCard Indonesia for its Hajj and Umrah product. This accolade is in recognition of the bank’s ability to collaborate with reputable multinational financial firms so as to provide the comforts of its modern shariah banking services while catering to the needs of a thousand-year-old ritual.
In demonstrating its capacity as an Islamic bank renowned for providing superior customer service, BNI Syariah has also established partnerships with numerous travel agencies catering to Indonesia’s lucrative hajj and umrah market. Among its list of well-regarded travel and tour agency partners includes Alia Wisata, Aerohajj, Castourindo Travel, Naja Tour & Travel, and ESQ Travel. By establishing a far-reaching network of partners for its customers, BNI Syariah has showcased an adeptness in providing greater convenience for customers in search of Hajj and Umrah services combined with Shariah-compliant banking services to ease their travel.
In the financial year of 2016, BNI Syariah held under its management Hajj accounts totalling 17 trillion IDR. With ongoing renovations in Mecca and Medina set to increase Hajj quotas, the number of Indonesians travelling to Saudi Arabia will continue to soar. This creates an even greater scope for the Hajj and Umrah card’s future success and stands as testament to BNI Syariah’s core values in promoting the concept of 'Hasanah'.