The African Banker Awards Committee has introduced a new category this year to recognise Islamic banking. The category, titled 'Best Islamic Finance Initiative' will go to the financial institution that has excelled in Islamic finance, in compliance with Shariah regulations and succeeded in providing ethical, reliable and affordable Islamic financial services. Sukuk, Takaful, Islamic project finance deals, Islamic commercial banking, and Islamic business banking are included in the list of eligible initiatives.Submission of entries from Banks and other financial institutions will close 25 March. The 2013 Awards ceremony will take place 29 May, 2013 in Morocco.