Bettr, the embedded finance unit of Ant International, has partnered with the Muslim Pro app to launch a Shariah-compliant Umrah financing service in Malaysia.
The initiative aims to increase financial inclusion by removing the immediate cost barrier for Muslims wishing to perform the Umrah or Hajj pilgrimages. By providing a digital, interest-free alternative to traditional loans, the service allows eligible users to manage the expense of their religious journey through a structured payment plan.
Announced in Kuala Lumpur, the service integrates directly into the Muslim Pro ecosystem. The app has been downloaded over 190 million times worldwide [1]. This reach allows the partnership to target a significant user base seeking lifestyle and religious tools integrated with financial services.
The financing solution is designed to adhere to Islamic law, which prohibits the charging of interest. Eligible participants can spread the total cost of their pilgrimage over monthly installments ranging between 12 and 24 months [2].
This collaboration leverages the embedded finance capabilities of Bettr to streamline the application and approval process. By embedding the financing option within a lifestyle app, the companies aim to reduce the friction typically associated with securing pilgrimage funding through traditional banking institutions.
Muslim Pro provides a wide array of Islamic lifestyle features to its global audience. The addition of a financing tool transforms the app from a religious utility into a platform that facilitates the physical execution of religious obligations.
“The service allows eligible users to manage the expense of their religious journey through a structured payment plan.”
This partnership signals a growing trend of 'embedded finance,' where non-financial apps integrate banking services to capture specific market niches. By targeting the Shariah-compliant sector in Malaysia, Ant International is expanding its footprint in Islamic finance, a rapidly growing global market that requires specialized, interest-free products to meet religious requirements.
