ahlibank Unites Community Partners to Support More Than 5,000 Students through the 2026/2027 Back to School Initiative

Muscat: Reinforcing its commitment to investing in people and expanding access to quality education, ahlibank has announced the signing of an agreement to launch its ‘Back to School’ initiative for the 2026/2027 academic year, in collaboration with Al Rahma Association for Motherhood and Childhood, and a network of charitable associations and volunteer teams across the Sultanate of Oman. This partnership represents the largest initiative of its kind ever undertaken by the bank, making it one of the most impactful community initiatives within the banking sector.

This year’s initiative will support more than 5,000 children from orphaned and underprivileged families across the Sultanate’s governorates and wilayats by providing essential school supplies, enabling them to begin the new academic year with confidence, dignity, and equal opportunity. By easing the financial burden on families and empowering children to pursue their education, the initiative reflects the bank’s belief that education is one of the most powerful drivers of long-term social and economic progress.

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony attended by representatives from charitable organizations, strategic partners, and volunteer teams from across the Sultanate, reaffirming the importance of unified national efforts and cross-sector collaboration in delivering meaningful and far-reaching community impact. Through this initiative, ahlibank continues to leverage its extensive branch network to connect charitable organizations with local communities, ensuring support is delivered efficiently, effectively, and where it is needed most.

While the Back-to-School initiative has become one of ahlibank’s flagship annual community programs, this year’s edition represents an exceptional expansion in scale, geographic reach, and strategic collaboration. Bringing together a wider network of charitable partners than ever before, the initiative reflects the progress of the bank’s corporate social responsibility strategy, from implementing individual community initiatives to building an integrated national platform for collaboration that delivers sustainable, long-term impact.

Commenting on the collaboration, Jumana Aflah Al Hashmi, AGM – Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, said: “At ahlibank, we believe that meaningful investment begins with people, and that education remains one of the most powerful enablers of a prosperous and sustainable future. This year’s Back to School initiative reflects a broader vision, one founded on the belief that lasting impact is achieved when institutions unite toward a shared national purpose. Reaching more than 5,000 children would not have been possible without the trust, commitment, and enduring partnerships we have built with Al Rahma Association and our valued charitable organizations across the Sultanate. We extend our sincere appreciation to all our partners for their continued collaboration and their shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.”

She added: “This initiative goes beyond providing school supplies; it is an investment in the aspirations and potential of thousands of children. By helping them begin the academic year with confidence and equal opportunity, we are investing in a brighter future while reaffirming our belief that financial institutions have a fundamental role to play in advancing sustainable social development alongside economic growth.”

The initiative will be implemented with the active participation of ahlibank employees through the ‘ahli Cares’ volunteer team, in coordination with ahlibank and ahli Islamic branches across the Sultanate. School bags, uniforms, and essential stationery kits will be distributed based on the needs of beneficiary families, working closely with partner organizations to ensure support reaches the largest possible number of deserving children across Oman.

Through initiatives of this scale, ahlibank continues to strengthen its long-standing partnerships with civil society organizations, driven by its faith that sustainable development is best achieved through collective action. By fostering strategic collaboration across sectors, the bank seeks to maximize community impact, enhance quality of life, and contribute to the human development and community empowerment objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

The Back-to-School initiative builds upon ahlibank’s longstanding legacy of delivering impactful community programs that create lasting social value. As a responsible national financial institution, ahlibank remains committed to placing community wellbeing at the heart of its strategy; empowering individuals, strengthening partnerships, and creating opportunities that leave a positive and enduring impact on future generations.