Quick Summary
Ant International’s Bettr has partnered with Muslim Pro to launch a Shariah-compliant Umrah financing solution in Malaysia. This digital service allows eligible pilgrims to manage travel costs through flexible 12 to 24-month installments, utilizing a Tawarruq structure to ensure ethical, interest-free financial support for the Muslim community.
How Does the Umrah Financing Solution Work?
Umrah financing solution provides a digital-first approach to pilgrimage planning by integrating financial services directly into the Muslim Pro app. By utilizing a Tawarruq financial structure, the service ensures all transactions remain Shariah-compliant, facilitated by SEDANIA As Salam Capital’s AS-SIDQ platform. This allows users to:
Select installment tenures ranging from 12 to 24 months.
Access packages covering flights and accommodation.
Apply digitally with automated credit assessment.
The system is designed to help families preserve liquid savings for emergencies while fulfilling their religious obligations. By leveraging advanced credit models, Bettr can extend these services to underserved groups, including gig workers and small business owners who may lack traditional credit histories.
What Are the Benefits for Malaysian Pilgrims?
With a Muslim population of 22 million people in Malaysia, the demand for integrated Islamic finance is surging. This partnership addresses the financial readiness gap often faced by travelers aged 30 to 50. Key benefits include:
Responsible cash flow management for multi-member households.
Early settlement options with no hidden penalties.
Access to both standard and premium travel packages.
The initiative ensures that pilgrimage financing costs do not compromise a family's primary financial obligations, adhering to core Islamic values of financial peace of mind and ethical borrowing.
How Does This Partnership Impact Islamic Fintech?
The collaboration represents a major step in embedded Islamic finance, merging a lifestyle platform with 190 million downloads and Ant International's technical infrastructure. By focusing on data security and privacy, the partners are building a trusted ecosystem for technology-enabled religious services.
"Millions of Muslims turn to Muslim Pro every day for guidance in their everyday lives and increasingly, that includes planning meaningful moments like Umrah," said Nafees Khundker, Group Managing Director and CEO, Muslim Pro. "We're proud to work with Bettr to offer a responsible, Shariah-compliant way for individuals and families in Malaysia to plan their pilgrimage with confidence built on the same trust, privacy and care our community expects from us every day."
"We believe in what individuals and small businesses can achieve when they are properly supported, and our engagement in Islamic finance is driven by a deep faith in the power of technology to do good,” said Quan Yu, General Manager of Bettr Credit, Senior Vice President of Ant International. “Through partnerships with trusted platforms like Muslim Pro, we aim to scale innovative, Shariah-compliant digital financial products that reflect the Muslim community's core values, building an inclusive system that leaves no one behind.”