Path Solutions, the leader in Sharia-compliant technology-enabled solutions and services for the Islamic finance industry, today announced that Mohammed Kateeb, the company’ Group Chairman & CEO was recognized by IFFSA with the 2016 Honorary Leadership Award in Islamic Finance.

In a ceremony conducted in conjunction with the “Islamic Finance Forum for South Asia (IFFSA)” on 27th July in Colombo, and in the presence of a large number of industry players and directors of top-tier financial institutions in South Asia, Kateeb received the award “in recognition for the leadership provided to one of the trailblazers in information technology germane to the Islamic finance industry over the past several years”, said Aakif Wahab, Group Executive Director at UTO EDUCONSULT (PVT) LTD, the organizers of IFFSA.

Kateeb is well known for his authentic leadership style, hands on approach, and an unrivalled depth of knowledge with profound passion for serving the IT industry. Under his leadership and guidance, Path Solutions has achieved tremendous growth and success by developing truly world-class Sharia-based software solutions that enable Islamic financial institutions to remain competitive and stay abreast of customer needs.

Currently, Kateeb serves as member of the Board of Trustees of IRTI, an affiliate of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDBG) to develop a technology-enabled Islamic financial services sector to foster Islamic financial inclusion. He was named among the ‘Top 50 Most Influential Leaders Who Make the Islamic Economy in 2015’ in ISLAMICA 500, and ‘Islamic Finance Technology CEO of the Year 2015’ by Business Worldwide Magazine.

Humbled by the recognition Kateeb commented, “I am deeply honored to have been selected for this Honorary Leadership Award in Islamic Finance. I am humbled and feeling privileged that you placed your faith and trust in me. I would like to thank the distinguished panel of judges from UTO EDUCONSULT LTD for selecting me. As a member of the Islamic finance community, I fully understand how important the contribution of individuals is to the advancement of this industry.  Islamic finance potential is tremendous and we are just scratching the surface. It is the only mean to achieve true financial inclusion worldwide. In addition, as a member of the telecommunication, media and information technology community I recognize the revolution that the world is going through, and without technology innovations in this industry we will not be able to realize its full potential. In the past years, I have worked closely with our clients, partners, employees and members of this community to empower Islamic financial institutions with the best technology innovations. Realizing that we need all the help that we can get, I strive to inspire people around me to make a difference, because success in this segment is only possible when we all work together to achieve it”.

The 1^st Annual IFFSA Awards Ceremony gathered foremost figures from across South Asia. It is subsequently scheduled to be held in the various countries in the region on a rotational basis.

On Day Two of the conference, Kateeb also participated as a panelist in a session titled “Advances in technology and its impact, or lack of it, on the Islamic finance industry”, joining a list of distinguished speakers and panelists from across the world.