The 4th AlBaraka Summit in London was held on 18 – 19 November 2025 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London – UK, under the theme “New Horizons: Islamic Economy in Global Markets, Beyond Majority-Muslim Societies.”. Organized by AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, a landmark gathering of global business leaders, policymakers, and innovators to shape the future of the Islamic economy within international markets.
Day One – November 18th 2025
Opening Ceremony
By deep welcoming words Ms. Efnan Han, Master of Ceremonies and International News Anchor, TRT World, launched the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London 2025, under the theme “New Horizons: Islamic Economy in Global Markets, Beyond Majority-Muslim Societies” setting the tone for a dynamic event, noting that this gathering is to highlight how Islamic values, ethics and principles can transcend borders, fueling innovations, inclusion and impact far beyond the Muslim world.
To mark the beginning of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London 2025, a heartfelt recitation from the Holy Qur’an was delivered by Mr. Ibrahim Elsayed, International Cooperation Manager at AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, who recited verses from Surah Al-Hadid, setting a reflective tone for the summit.
Delivering the opening notes at the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London, H.E. Mr. Faraz Khan MBE, Chief Executive Officer & Partner, Spectreco US, Founder & Director Seed Ventures, highlighted the rapid rise of the Islamic finance, projected to reach $7–8 trillion by 2028. He noted that a $68+ trillion intergenerational wealth transfer is underway, reshaping investment and consumption priorities around impact, sustainability, and equity—further accelerating the growth of Islamic economies.
H.E. Mr. Faraz Khan emphasized AlBaraka Forum’s role in reconnecting wisdom with real-world application through technology, and showcased the global spread of Islamic finance from Asia to Europe and the Americas uniting markets and impacting millions worldwide.
During the opening ceremony, H.E. Mr. Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary General of AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, highlighted the remarkable journey of Islamic economics over the past five decades from a small community seeking ethical finance to a global platform shaping solutions for crisis-driven economic systems. He emphasized the human-centric values of Islamic finance, its potential to serve even non-Muslim societies, and the importance of partnerships in expanding its global impact.
H.E. Lord Dominic Johnson, Member of The House of Lords, UK House of Lords, delivered the keynote address, highlighting that there is no more important nor noble human endeavor than allocating capital to the highest point of return.
H.E. Lord Dominic added that this summit is driving the mindset that leads to the innovation, creating vital discussions that will label us to be more effective when coming to allocating capitals to drive the economy effectively.
As an expression of gratitude and appreciation, H.E. Mr. Yousef Khalawi, Secretary General of the AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, honored the Summit Partners and Sponsors:
- Global partner, Al Baraka Group, represented by H. E. Mr. Abdul Elah Abdul Rahim Sabbahi, Board Member at Al Baraka Group.
- Platinum sponsor, Libyan Foreign Bank — together with 3 of its subsidiaries: Aresbank (Spain), BACB (UK), and Banca UBAE (Italy), represented by H.E. Mr. Khalid Al Gonsoul, the Vice Chairman of the Libyan Foreign Bank, Mr. Ahmed Sarkez – The head of the Libya Coverage representing BACB, Mr. Alvaro Hernandez-Maurtea Lopez – the Business Development Manager at AresBank, and Mr. Maurizio Valfre – the General manager of Banca UBAE.
- Bronze sponsor, Gatehouse Bank, represented by Dr. Usman Chaudry, Chief Risk Officer and Board Director at Gatehouse Bank plc.
- Strategic partner, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, represented by Ms. Aalia Jafar, Director, International Relations, The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD).
The opening ceremony of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London AlBaraka Forum premiered its new documentary film: “Sustainable Futures: Islamic Economy, Global Impact.” The short film highlights the global rise of Islamic Economy across sectors and continents, and reinforces the summit’s message that Islamic finance is not a regional concept — but a scalable, ethical model for inclusive and sustainable growth worldwide.
The First Thematic Panel of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London titled “Strategic Foresight for the Islamic Economy in Non-Muslim Countries: Political Recognition, Legal Empowerment, and Institutional Integration”
Bringing his distinguished leadership talents and deep expertise in global finance on stage, H.E. Dr. Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE, Former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Senior Advisor, DLA Piper, moderated the first thematic panel, and speaking from his law practice background, he highlighting on the regulatory dimensions of Islamic finance, raising an important question: How can non-Muslim-majority countries create an enabling environment where Islamic finance frameworks gain priority in implementation?
During the 1st thematic panel of, Dr. Abdurrahman Abdullahi, Deputy Director and Head, Non-Interest Banking, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, The Central Bank of Nigeria, highlighted Nigeria’s growing leadership in Africa’s Islamic finance sector. He noted the legal recognition of Islamic finance under the BOFIA 2020 and CBN Act 2007, which empower the Central Bank to license, supervise, and regulate non-interest institutions. He also pointed to Nigeria’s progress in expanding Sukuk markets, licensing new Takaful firms, and integrating Islamic finance into national development plans through stronger coordination among key regulators.
H.E. Atty. Arifa A. Ala, Senior Assistant Governor, Financial Supervision Sub-Sector III, The Central Bank of the Philippines, highlighted the Philippines’ inclusive vision for mainstreaming Islamic finance, emphasizing the role of the Islamic Banking Law (RA 11439) in ensuring tax neutrality and strong Shari’ah governance. She explained how coordinated policy alignment across 12 government agencies has laid the foundation for a unified and credible Islamic finance framework in the country.
H.E. Mr. Hamza K. Bawazir, Secretary General, General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions, highlighted the rapid global rise of the Islamic financial services industry, which has reached $5.98 trillion in assets in 2024, with Islamic banking accounting for over 71% of this market. He noted the strong trajectory of the wider Islamic economy expected to grow from $2.43 trillion today to $3.36 trillion by 2028, and emphasized that Islamic finance is now present in 98 countries, driven by worldwide demand for ethical and sustainable financial models.
The second Thematic Panel of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London titled “Islamic Banking in Global Markets and Environments: Between Aspirations and Operational Realities”
Leading the discussion with clarity and depth, Dr. Muhammad Saeed Fadloun, Head of Shari’ah Compliance at Al Rayan Bank, moderated the second thematic panel. He opened the session by thanking the summit organizers, emphasizing the importance of platforms like this in shaping the future of Islamic banking. Dr. Fadloun highlighted the industry’s expanding presence across Europe, Africa, and Asia, where Islamic banks continue to navigate both significant challenges and promising opportunities.
H.E. Dr. Thaweelap Rittapirom, Director and President, Islamic Bank of Thailand, shared the journey of the Islamic Bank of Thailand from a privately founded, community-backed initiative to a fully state-owned Shariah-compliant bank serving 6 million Muslims (10% of Thailand’s population).
In a market dominated by conventional banks and limited Shariah infrastructure, ibank is redefining its position as not only a “Muslim main bank” but a viable alternative bank for all, navigating liquidity constraints and a still-developing Islamic finance ecosystem.
H.E. Mr. Charles Haresnape, Chief Executive Officer, Gatehouse Bank plc, shared key insights on the growing momentum of Islamic finance in the UK.
He noted that demand for Islamic financial services continues to rise, driven by a rapidly expanding community of approximately 4.5 million Muslims in the UK, alongside a wider shift toward ethical and Shari’ah-compliant financial solutions. H.E. Mr. Haresnape emphasized that while the sector is growing, it still faces operational complexities from regulatory requirements to market-specific challenges.
H.E. Mr. Shabir Chohan, Chief Executive Officer, Albaraka Bank South Africa, reflected on the unique journey of establishing Islamic banking in South Africa.
He highlighted that, despite the Muslim population representing only around 2% of the country, the initiative was inspiring for those seeking Shari’ah-compliant financial solutions. Mr. Chohan recounted that as far back as 1988, an advocate interested in Islamic banking approached the late Sheikh Saleh Kamel, to form Islamic bank, even in the absence of formal legislation regulating Islamic banking at the time.
The third Thematic Panel of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London titled “Islamic Investment Solutions within the Global Economic System: Toward Greater Availability and Asset Diversity”
Prof. Sarah A. Tobin, Professor at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Bergen, Norway, moderated the third thematic panel, “Islamic Investment Solutions within the Global Economic System: Toward Greater Availability and Asset Diversity” at the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London.
She emphasized the importance of amplifying Islamic-compliant elements already present in European regulations, such as profit-and-loss sharing and venture capital, to better serve marginalized entrepreneurs, immigrants, and refugees across Europe.
Mohammad Shoaib Memon, Chief Operating Officer, Europe Arab Bank plc, highlighted that despite Europe’s 20 million-strong Muslim population, Islamic finance still holds less than 1% market share. He stressed that the absence of Sharia-compliant options continues to limit real opportunities for families and entrepreneurs across the UK and Europe.
Mr. Irshad Mahmood, General Partner and Islamic Finance Leader for the Deloitte network and the Audit and Assurance Business Leader for Deloitte Bahrain, delivered a sharp assessment of the structural challenges facing Islamic finance.
He highlighted how cross-border legal uncertainty, misaligned investor expectations, and the lack of scalable multi-jurisdictional Sukuk continue to challenge the industry with divergent Shariah interpretations pushing transaction costs by up to 30%. Despite progress in markets like Bahrain and Malaysia, regulatory fragmentation remains a key barrier. Mahmood noted that the sector’s future will be driven by digitalisation, regulatory convergence, sustainability, and AI-powered Shariah audit tools, as global Islamic AUM moves toward USD 6 trillion by 2030.
Mr. Anouar Adham, Chief Executive Officer, Elite Capital and Management Services, presented an insightful overview of the deepening housing crisis, explaining how institutionalisation has reshaped the UK market.
He noted that private equity, pension funds, and major corporates have increasingly moved into residential property, contributing to a 54% surge in institutional investment in single-family rentals by 2024, compared to just 5% in 2019. With homeownership falling to ~65% nationally and to 46.7% in London, younger households are being priced out as rising inequality and stagnant wages collide with a fast-expanding build-to-rent sector now worth £5.2bn in 2024.
Ms. Nesrine Hadjadj, Account Manager, for a Swiss Private Bank, delivered key insights on “Advancing Islamic Banking and Finance in Switzerland: Assessing Infrastructure, Market Demand, and Service Provision.”
She provided an overview of the Swiss financial landscape, outlining its key features, and shared findings from her research on the opportunities and complexities of introducing Islamic finance within the Swiss market. Ms. Hadjadj also highlighted the current status of Shari’ah-compliant services in Switzerland.
The fourth Thematic Panel of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London titled “Empowering Entrepreneurship from Islamic Economy Perspective: Innovation, Ethics, and Global Market Access”
Dr. Wael Eldesouki Bedda, Secretary General, Saleh Kamel Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, moderated the 4th thematic panel.
Dr. Bedda highlighted the rise of values-based entrepreneurship within the Islamic economy, emphasizing the growing importance of balancing profitability with purpose as ethics and impact increasingly shape modern business models. He discussed how Islamic finance, ESG principles, and ethical investment frameworks are enabling sustainable startup growth, drawing on insights from global Muslim entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders.
Dr. Asma Ounnas, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, The Arab Entrepreneurs Board, reflected on her journey into the financial sector and her progression into the Islamic finance landscape. She also underscored her role in supporting entrepreneurs aiming to expand their ventures into the Arab region.
Dr. Asma Ounnas, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, The Arab Entrepreneurs Board, during the Fourth Thematic Panel of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London, titled “Empowering Entrepreneurship from Islamic Economy Perspective: Innovation, Ethics, and Global Market Access”, highlighted the grand visions of 2030 in the Arab region’s agendas and their impact on national development.
During the Fourth Thematic Panel, Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy, President, International Council for Small Business, The George Washington University – United States, outlined global best practices in ecosystem development that countries can adopt to strengthen their entrepreneurial landscape.
He highlighted South Korea as a compelling example, noting its remarkable GDP growth from USD 0.7 trillion in 1995 to USD 1.7 trillion in 2025. Dr. El Tarabishy emphasized how the country’s transformation was driven by a strong governmental focus on human resources, prioritizing education, innovation, and rapid adaptation, positioning Korea as a fast moving, globally competitive economy.
During the Fourth Thematic Panel, Dr. Lalua Rahsiad, Managing Partner, Welbeck and Bradwell Asia, highlighted Malaysia’s position as one of the leading hubs for Islamic finance.
She provided an overview of the state of Islamic finance across Southeast Asia, noting that while the region’s Muslim-majority countries have integrated Islamic financial services into everyday use, certain gaps remain in terms of implementation, innovation, and product creativity. Dr. Rahsiad also emphasized Southeast Asia’s strong achievements in the sukuk market, which continues to be a significant driver of growth for the region’s Islamic finance sector.
H.E. Dr. Sherine Helmy, Chairman, Pharco Pharmaceuticals delivered an inspiring address highlighting that ideas, values, and genuine care multiply far beyond material exchange.
He reflected on the legacy of late Sheikh Saleh Kamel, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, who devoted his capabilities and principles to uplifting societies, emphasized that true wealth lies in what benefits people. Dr. Helmy called for an Islamic economy rooted in justice, ihsan, ethics, and non-oppression, reminding the audience that value-based systems succeed where speculation fails.
Day Two Events – November 19th 2025
Guiding the momentum into Day 2 of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London, Ms. Efnan Han, Master of Ceremonies and International News Anchor, TRT World, set the tone with an engaging call, urging the audience to move from ideas to models, from interest to investment, and from potential to real economic value.
With her signature clarity and presence, she invited participants to lean in, question boldly, and help shape the next wave of partnerships, policies, and shared responsibility across the Islamic economy.
Keynote
Delivering an insightful keynote at the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London, H.E. Mr. Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Invest in Türkiye, outlined a powerful roadmap for the next phase of Türkiye’s participation finance journey.
Driven by the Office’s official mandate, to expand international cooperation, deepen capital markets, attract global investment, and advance regulatory transformation, his excellency showcased how strategic projects such as the Istanbul Financial Center are reshaping the region’s financial landscape.
With participation banking assets rising to USD 77.3 billion and retirement funds soaring 110% YoY, he affirmed that Türkiye is not only scaling its participation finance industry; it is actively shaping its global future alongside pioneering partners.
As an expression of gratitude and appreciation, H.E. Mr. Yousef Khalawi, Secretary General of the AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, honored H.E. Mr. Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye.
The Fifth Thematic Panel of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London titled “Chambers of Commerce as Engines of Economic Acceleration and Business Networking”
Ms. Aalia Jafar, Director, International Relations, The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) moderated the 5th thematic panel “Chambers of Commerce as Engines of Economic Acceleration and Business Networking”, at the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London
She highlighted that chambers of commerce are now taking on a much more active role than before, they are evolving from simple networking platforms into strategic partners that support entrepreneurs, expand market access, and shape policy. With the Islamic economy continuing to grow globally, these chambers are becoming vital connectors linking businesses, ideas, and communities in ways that generate meaningful economic impact.
Mr. Marut Mekloy, President of Thai Muslim Trade Association, highlighted Thailand’s unique position in the global Islamic economy, despite Muslims making up less than 10% of the population, the country produces over 200,000 halal-certified products, with more than 95% of them made by non-Muslim businesses. He emphasizes that Thailand’s halal sector is now one of the most active in ASEAN, supported by Thailand’s robust halal governance system and its internationally recognized certification bodies.
Mr. Shabir Chohan, Chief Executive Officer of Albaraka Bank South Africa and Board Member of the Minara Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the chamber’s 25-year journey, noting how its ICCD membership in the early 2000s opened the door to international funding, global forums, and high-level Islamic economic platforms.
He emphasized that this shift elevated South Africa’s Muslim business community from a small, minority-focused chamber to a nationally recognized body with real global visibility strengthening its credibility, expanding partnerships, and reshaping how South African Muslim enterprises are viewed both locally and internationally.
He explained that government bodies, financial institutions, and the media take a consolidated voice far more seriously, and such unity attracts better funding, stronger bank participation, and greater lobbying power.
Mr. Ghulam Irshad Abdur Razzaq Khan, Chairperson of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand Advocacy, highlighted New Zealand’s unique halal journey from the country’s first halal certification mission in 1962 to today’s fully integrated national system connecting animal welfare, food safety, and halal oversight.
Despite a Muslim population of just 100,000, he noted that New Zealand’s halal industry contributes nearly $6 billion annually, driven by a unified approach between government, industry, and Muslim leadership.
Mr. Turgay Deniz, President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that despite the structural barriers Turkish Cypriot businesses face in accessing global markets, new efforts to strengthen B2B partnerships, expand participation in regional trade fairs, and secure mutual product recognition are helping local exporters increase their visibility and reach new customers.
He noted that sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, digital innovation, and halal-certified food production offer strong investment potential, with iconic exports like citrus, olive oil, and dairy products ready to expand into wider Islamic markets through improved standards and certification.
Workshop: “Islamic Screening and ESG Metrics: Building the Next Generation of Investment Indexes”
H.E. Mr. Faraz Khan MBE, Chief Executive Officer & Partner, Spectreco US, Founder & Director Seed Ventures, highlighted how modern investment indexes are evolving through more advanced and transparent evaluation methods.
He explained that new models now combine Islamic screening with ESG considerations and financial indicators to create indexes that better reflect ethical priorities and long-term performance. Mr. Khan emphasized that this integrated, data-driven approach is helping investors build portfolios that are both value-aligned and grounded in solid analytical foundations. Underscoring that the global investment landscape is undergoing a profound transition as Millennials and Gen Z inherit trillions in assets and prioritize climate action, ethical governance, and social resilience.
Insightful Address: “Arbitration Role in Empowering Islamic Finance in Muslim Minority Communities”
H.E. Dr. Umar Oseni, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre, opened his insightful address by stressing that Muslim minority communities must “own their destiny” when it comes to dispute resolution in Islamic finance.
He highlighted that judges in non-Muslim jurisdictions often lack the tools, Sharia understanding, or legal mandate to adjudicate Islamic finance cases correctly leading to outcomes that contradict Sharia principles, such as awarding interest or re-characterising Islamic contracts as conventional loans, emphasizing that compliance must be considered from the earliest stages of product design, not only at the Sharia Board level, to avoid contradictions that surface later during litigation.
Special Session: Under the auspices of the Saleh Kamel Islamic Economics Award, the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London hosts a special session titled “From Research to Impact.”
Dr. Hesham Zaki, Executive Secretary, Saleh Kamel Islamic Economics Award, moderated the special session, Under the Auspices of the Saleh Kamel Islamic Economy Award, Titled “From Research to Impact”, on the sidelines of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London
Dr. Zaki highlighted the legacy of the late Sheikh Saleh Kamel, noting his role in establishing major research centers and awards that shaped the field of Islamic economics. He explained that today’s award continues that tradition through a global network of scholars and committees dedicated to ensuring rigorous and credible academic evaluation.
He also outlined the award’s two categories — Islamic Economics Studies and Islamic Economics Jurisprudence Studies — with prizes totaling 1 million SAR, making it one of the largest in the field, with this year’s themes focusing on fintech, the digital economy, and contemporary Shariah applications, with submissions open until the end of July.
Ms. Happy Febrina, from Coventry University, presented her research during the Special Session. Her presentation delved into the critical question of how Islamic sustainability principles can help reduce sovereign risk in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries. Drawing on multidisciplinary evidence, from ESG performance and fiscal sustainability to Shari’ah governance and climate resilience, she highlighted the growing relevance of Islamic ethical frameworks in strengthening sovereign creditworthiness, enhancing governance quality, and mitigating exposure to global financial and environmental shocks.
Mr. Abdul Wase Samim from Aston University’s College of Business and Social Sciences presented his research on how rapid advances in fintech and AI are reshaping financial behaviour in the UK. He highlighted both the opportunities created by increased efficiency and transparency, and the ethical challenges emerging around automation, digital asset ownership, and algorithmic decision-making. The study also addressed the lack of a unified framework linking VUCA dynamics, disruptive innovation, Maqasid al-Sharia, and Islamic intellectual property principles, proposing guidance for responsible growth in the UK’s Islamic fintech sector.
Mr. Mohammed Alzahrani, From College of Business and Social Sciences, Aston University presentation examined how the absence of a dedicated Islamic finance law in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest Islamic banking market, creates tensions between Sharia courts, banking dispute committees, and contractual enforcement, noting how the absence of a dedicated Islamic finance law in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest Islamic banking market, creates tensions between Sharia courts, banking dispute committees, and contractual enforcement.
Ms. Noora Al-Suwaidi, from College of Islamic Studies, Hamad bin Khalifa University, highlighted how demographic and loan characteristics significantly predict late payments, defaults, and legal actions—revealing that Islamic banks consistently demonstrate lower default rates and stronger risk performance compared to conventional lenders.
Ms. Astrid Fionna Harningtyas, from Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance, Durham University, presented “The Nexus of Climate Risk & Islamic Finance,” highlighted that environmental protection is embedded within Maqasid al-Sharia, making climate responsibility a mandatory obligation for Islamic finance rather than a voluntary commitment. She noted a significant gap between global sustainable finance progress and the slower, fragmented climate-risk integration within Islamic financial institutions.
Ms. Harningtyas presented a machine-learning–driven systematic review and empirical analysis covering 113 countries, revealing that stronger Islamic Finance Development (IFDI) is consistently associated with higher climate resilience and lower vulnerability, especially in low and middle-income and OIC countries. These findings underscore the potential of Islamic finance to play a central role in shaping climate-ready, sustainability-aligned financial systems.
Mr. Muhammad Zulkifly, from Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance, Durham University, explained how his study investigates the long-term relationship between financialisation and industrial decline, showing that rising national financialisation consistently precedes a fall in manufacturing capacity. Using multilevel and panel models, his research demonstrates that while Islamic finance offers partial insulation from the most aggressive financialising trends, it remains influenced by the same broader economic regime.
Mr. Muhammad Muslim Anshori, from School of Business, University of Dundee, highlighted Indonesia’s vast but underutilized zakat potential—despite being one of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nations, only about 5% of total zakat is currently collected. He emphasized the urgency of reform, noting that fewer than 1% of taxpayers claim zakat deductions, reflecting inefficiencies in incentives, awareness, and regulatory design.
Ms. Norhidayah Binti Jamilan, from School of Business, University of Dundee, highlighted how Malaysia’s rapidly expanding Islamic Social Finance ecosystem is struggling to keep pace with technological change despite strong national digital policies. She explained that while fintech has improved online collection through mobile apps, QR payments, and e-banking, core functions such as distribution, reporting, and SDG-linked measurement remain fragmented, manual, and uneven across states.
Workshop: “The Economic Landscape of Muslims: Realities and Transformations”
Dr. Eman Shady, Executive Secretary at the Strategic Thinking Center for Islamic Economy, started the workshop titled “The Economic Landscape of Muslims: Realities and Transformations” by addressing the critical role of human resources across OIC countries and among Muslim minorities.
She emphasized that strong human capital is essential for boosting productivity, driving innovation, and advancing sustainable development. Dr. Shady highlighted that unemployment in OIC member states has declined from 6.5% in 2000 to 5.9% in 2023, reflecting positive progress in workforce development.
She then examined the human resource landscape of Muslim minorities, noting the challenges they frequently face such as social discrimination and marginalization. Despite these obstacles, she outlined key opportunities for Islamic economic institutions to invest in their human resources, including growing purchasing power, access to qualified and affordable talent, and the presence of promising and attractive economic environments.
Closing Remarks
Ms. Aalia Jafar, Director, International Relations, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), delivered the closing remarks of the 4th AlBaraka Summit in London titled “New Horizons: Islamic Economy in Global Markets, Beyond Majority-Muslim Societies”.
In her address, she emphasized that in a time of rising global economic challenges, ethics remain the cornerstone of Islamic economics. She highlighted that when values are deeply rooted within economic systems, growth flows naturally. Ms. Jafar called for a revival of the spirit of Islamic economics, one that reconnects moral essence with global impact, restores balance between profit and responsibility, and reaffirms ethics as the true engine of sustainable development.
Ms. Aalia Jafar concluded her speech by officially announcing the theme of the 5th AlBaraka Summit in London: “Ethics: Internal Construction and External Revitalization of the Islamic Economy”
The summit is supported by:
- Al Baraka Group B.S.C. (C) – Global Partner to the AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy in AlBaraka Summits
- Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) – Strategic Partner
- Libyan Foreign Bank — together with 3 of its subsidiaries: Aresbank (Spain), BACB (UK), and Banca UBAE (Italy) – Platinum Sponsor
- Gatehouse Bank – Bronze Sponsor
