IFN OnAir
Islamic Finance News (IFN) OnAir will provide you with the latest insight into the world of Islamic banking & finance from the world's leading industry provider. Visit our website at www.islamicfinancenews.com for more information
Pakistan’s Islamic Capital Markets and Investment Industry: Building Depth, Choice and Scale
As the financial system transitions, deeper Islamic capital markets and a broader investment industry will become increasingly interconnected. We examine Sukuk, infrastructure financing and secondary markets, alongside Islamic funds, pensions and real-asset strategies. How can Pakistan increase the supply and diversity of Shariah-compliant assets, broaden institutional and retail participation, and encourage innovation? We discuss how refined distribution and market infrastructure can improve access and liquidity and support a wider Islamic investment ecosystem.
Moderator:
Sadaf Sawant, Senior Product Associate, Group Islamic Banking, Habib Bank AG Zurich
Panelists:
Jawad Hashmi, Chief...
Digital Pakistan: Technology, Transformation and Financial Inclusion
We examine how innovation is reshaping Pakistan’s Islamic financial sector, from AI-enabled processes and mobile-first platforms to fintech partnerships and open banking. We consider the opportunities and challenges of the transformation journey, including legacy infrastructure, implementation, skills, regulatory expectations and the integration of Shariah governance. We explore emerging opportunities in tokenisation and embedded finance, and how technology can support greater access, efficiency and financial inclusion.
Moderator:
Asim Hameed, Head of Products & Transformation, HabibMetro Bank
Panelists:
Adnan Syed, Senior Fintech Specialist, Sindh Social Protection Authority
Fasih Azhar Si...
Islamic Finance in Pakistan 2026: Strategy, Transformation and National Opportunity
As Pakistan’s Islamic finance market transitions, we examine the implications for regulators, financial institutions, markets and the wider economy. We consider regulatory reform, financial inclusion, SME and infrastructure financing, and the development of markets. We ask what successful transformation requires beyond regulation: from Shariah governance and capacity building to AI and institutional readiness. How can Pakistan use this transition to build a more competitive, innovative and inclusive Islamic finance industry?
Moderator:
Salman Ahmed, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Adnan Fasih, Group Head, Islamic Banking, Habib Bank AG Zurich
...
Presentation: Islamic Banking Journey – From Shariah Compliance to Shariah Powered Navigating Towards True Transformation
Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan, Chairperson Shariah Board, HabibMetro Bank
Shahzaib Rajper, Shariah Board Member, HabibMetro Bank
IFN Pakistan Forum 2026: Keynote
Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan
IFN Pakistan Forum 2026: Keynote
Imtiaz Haider, Commissioner – Specialized Companies Division, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
Southeast Asia - The next Islamic tokenization hub?
Tokenati CEO and Founder Mansour Triki shares with IFN Group Managing Editor Vineeta Tan why Southeast Asia is the Dubai-based firm’s next market for expansion to capture rising Islamic tokenization interest.
Unlocking GCC-ASEAN Islamic investment corridor
In this conversation with IFN’s Vineeta Tan, Hichem Djouhri, ASB Capital’s senior executive officer, sheds light on how the industry can better capitalize the GCC-ASEAN corridor to unlock regional pools of Shariah capital.
Turkiye and Malaysia remain committed to Islamic finance cooperation
Dr Bilal Ilhan, who advises the Turkish government on cross-border investment flows, tells IFN Group Managing Editor Vineeta Tan how Malaysia holds a special place for bilateral Shariah investment opportunities.
Mauritius’s Islamic finance landscape and its potential as a hub for Shariah compliant investment into Africa
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Assadullah Durbarry, Barrister at Law, Durbarry Chambers, on Mauritius’s Islamic finance landscape and its potential as a hub for Shariah compliant investment into Africa
Trends shaping the Sukuk and Islamic investment markets and the impact of geopolitical risks
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Roy Wong, Head of Sales Strategy APAC, S&P Dow Jones Indices, on trends shaping the Sukuk and Islamic investment markets and the impact of geopolitical risks
How greater regulatory alignment can support the capital markets
IFN Journalist Reenassri Sekaran speaks to Rafe Khokhar, Partner, Mayer Brown on how greater regulatory alignment can support the capital markets
The role of Islamic finance in the Halal industry
IFN Journalist Reenassri Sekaran interviews Dr Marco Tieman, CEO, HSC Alliance about the role of Islamic finance in the Halal industry
Islamic finance in the real estate sector
IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano talks to Douglas Tse, Associate Wealth Manager, Aldar about Islamic finance in the real estate sector
Islamic capital market demand and opportunities arising from the growth of digital infrastructure
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Lydia Long, Investment Specialist, Credit Guarantee & Investment Facility, on Islamic capital market demand and opportunities arising from the growth of digital infrastructure
Taiwan’s Islamic finance landscape and opportunities to connect Islamic finance with the Halal ecosystem
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Majid Tsai, CEO, Halalin Services Company, on Taiwan’s Islamic finance landscape and opportunities to connect Islamic finance with the Halal ecosystem
Shariah compliant products, investor appetite and demand amid current market conditions
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mohd Azad Jasmi, Group CEO, Permodalan Kedah, on Shariah compliant products, investor appetite and demand amid current market conditions
Digitalization, technology and emerging trends in Islamic finance
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Hazimah Adanan, Managing Director, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, on digitalization, technology and emerging trends in Islamic finance
Beyond Benchmarks: Innovation, Integrity and the New Islamic Investor
Islamic investment is evolving as investor expectations, digital distribution and technologies reshape products and frameworks. We examine next generation Shariah-compliant funds, including product innovation, personalisation and ESG, alongside digital platforms and screening technologies. We consider how Shariah governance, screening standards, ESG and technology-enabled compliance can maintain integrity and investor confidence. What will Islamic investors demand, and how can asset managers, regulators and Shariah practitioners respond while supporting growth across Malaysia and Southeast Asia?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Eslam Anbar, CEO, Phi Wallet<...
Unlocking New Frontiers: Private Markets, Real Assets & Alternative Shariah Strategies
Islamic investors are increasingly looking beyond traditional asset classes toward private credit, infrastructure, real estate, venture capital and other Shariah-compliant alternatives. We examine how Islamic finance can play a greater role in funding start-ups, innovation and high-growth businesses, while addressing structuring trends, risk management, liquidity and the opportunity for Southeast Asia to establish itself as a leading centre for alternative Islamic investments.
Moderator:
Tom Reynolds, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Dr Bilal Ilhan, County Advisor – Investment and Finance Office, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
Faris Lodin...
Presentation: The ProSocial AI Index – Measuring Return on Values for AI Investments
Professor Cornelia Walther, Senior Fellow, Harvard Learning and Innovation Lab
Roundtable: Building a Trusted Shariah Compliant Digital Asset Ecosystem – Investment Perspectives on Stablecoins and Digital Currencies
Through an expert panel, we discuss the development of a trusted Shariah compliant digital asset ecosystem, focusing on stablecoins and digital assets, addressing regulation, ethics, risk management, and innovation while ensuring alignment with Islamic finance and investment principles and enhancing stakeholder confidence.
Moderator:
Shabnam Mokhtar, Managing Director, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Panelists:
Christopher Griffin, Partner, Carey Olsen
Gerard Ang, Head, Financing and Securities Services, Standard Chartered
Hazmi Rahim, Deputy President, Malaysia Digital Asset Community Association
Ranjit Gill, Director, Head of Product...
Presentation - Growth and Innovation of Indexing in Islamic Markets
Darius Nass, Associate Director, Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices
The Buyside Perspective: Building Scale & Sophistication in Islamic Investments
Asset managers, institutional investors and wealth platforms discuss demand trends, product gaps, cross-border flows and how Southeast Asia can position itself as a global centre for Islamic investment management. We address scale, distribution, transparency and innovation across public and private markets.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Ahmad Farouk Mohamed, Chief Investment Officer, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera
Dr Fadlul Imansyah, Chief of Executive Board, Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji
Hichem Djouhri, Senior Executive Officer, ASB Capital
Shahariah...
Presentation - The Buyside Perspective, Building Scale & Sophistication in Islamic Investment
Dr Fadlul Imansyah, Chief of Executive Board, Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji
Southeast Asia Islamic Finance Outlook: Scale, Strategy & the Next Phase of Growth
Regional leaders discuss the strategic trajectory of Islamic finance in Southeast Asia, covering competitiveness, regionalisation, digital adoption, regulatory alignment and the macro forces shaping issuance and market development. The session also considers Malaysia’s shift toward more risk-based, value-creating Islamic finance models, and the implications for market evolution. The session sets the agenda for both issuers and investors by highlighting where real opportunities lie today.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Abdulla Al Hammadi, AVP – Analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings
Arulnath...
IFN Asia Forum 2026 - Day 1: Keynote Address
Mohamad Ali Iqbal Abdul Khalid, Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia
Fireside Chat: Beyond Mimicry - Reimagining Islamic Banking Through Customer-Centred Innovation
Raja Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bank Islam Malaysia speaks with Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director at Islamic Finance news
Presentation – Cross-Asset Investment Platform 2026
Hichem Djouhri, Senior Executive Officer, ASB Capital
Reinventing Islamic Banking: Digital Engines, New Models & Regional Ambition
As Islamic banks in Southeast Asia accelerate digital transformation, we explore how new delivery models, embedded finance, open banking and cross-border connectivity are reshaping customer expectations and corporate financing. We assess Malaysia’s transition toward risk-sharing structures, and how these models align with digital innovation and evolving customer needs. Discussion focuses on growth priorities, competitive pressures and the evolving Shariah governance considerations accompanying new digital models, while examining how Islamic banking can continue to underpin regional market activity.
Moderator:
Ravi Kittane, Partner, Ernst & Young Consulting
Panelists:
Arsalaan Ahmed, Executive Di...
Case Study: Malaysia’s US$1.5 Billion Global Sukuk – Execution, Investor Confidence and the Sovereign Benchmark
Mohd Azrin Abdull Rahim, Section Head of Financing and Cashflow Management, Fiscal Policy and Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance
Islamic Capital Markets: Connecting Issuers, Investors and New Sources of Growth
Malaysia’s Islamic capital market is sophisticated and well established, but its next phase of growth will depend on connecting a broader range of issuers with deeper pools of institutional capital. This session examines what issuers need from the market, how credit enhancement can broaden access and support cross-border investment, and where liquidity, sustainable finance and new sources of demand can create fresh opportunities for growth.
Moderator:
Nicholas Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Junaidah Abdul Shukor, Head of Treasury & Corporate Finance, Pengurusan Aset
Lydia Long, Investment Sp...
From Assets to Payments: Tokenisation, Connectivity and the Future of Financial Services
Tokenisation, interoperable payment networks and digital infrastructure are reshaping how assets, money and information move across financial markets. We explore digital issuance and tokenised assets alongside regional payment connectivity, tokenisation of payments, interoperable funds transfers and open finance. We examine how these technologies can enhance efficiency, accessibility and cross-border connectivity for investors, financial institutions, businesses and consumers, while addressing regulatory readiness, interoperability, tax considerations, operational challenges and Shariah governance.
Moderator:
Daud Vicary Abdullah, Managing Director, DVA Consulting
Panelists:
Azleena Idris, Senior Director, Head of Industry-wide and Regulatory Strategy, PayNet...
Financing the Halal Opportunity: Islamic Capital for a High-Growth Regional Ecosystem
As Malaysia positions itself as a global Halal hub, Islamic finance plays a central role in enabling growth across food, healthcare, logistics, tourism and manufacturing. We explore the financing needs of the Halal economy, opportunities for SME and corporate funding, and how Islamic banks, capital markets and alternative platforms can support expansion across Southeast Asia.
Moderator:
Dr Marco Tieman, CEO, HSC Alliance
Panelists:
Mohammad Hafiz Jamaluddin, Head of Halal Integrated Platform, Halal Development Corporation
Joann Maryam Tansinsin Enriquez, Managing Director, IAP Ventures Malaysia, and President, Al-Amal...
Islamic Asset Management: Building Scale, Access, and Performance
Asset managers discuss strategies to grow and diversify Islamic investment offerings. Topics include ESG integration, ETF growth, and digital platforms that broaden institutional and retail participation. Discussion will also explore the role of Shariah-compliant alternative investments, including private capital, real assets, infrastructure and Sukuk funds, as managers seek to enhance diversification, scale and long-term performance.
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Christophe Lalandre, Executive Vice President, Lombard Odier (Middle East)
Fahd Chaudhry, Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey...
Official Launch of the Association of Shariah Asset Management: A New Platform for Industry Collaboration
Introduction:
Stéphane Brown, airman and Co-founder, Association of Shariah Asset Management
Moderator:
Christiane El Habre, Chairperson, Marketing, Research and Publication Committee, Association of Shariah Asset Management
Panelists:
Dr Areeba Khan, Deputy Chairperson, Association of Shariah Asset Management
Farah Hashim, Committee Member Technology & Innovation Committee
Ruggiero Lomonaco, Co-Chairperson, Investment and Product Committee, Association of Shariah Asset Management
Issuance, Innovation and Integration: The Pulse of Islamic Capital Markets
An in-depth look at Sukuk and Islamic capital markets as engines of regional growth. Experts discuss market trends, structural innovation, liquidity enhancement, and the evolving role of multilaterals in diversified funding frameworks.
Moderator:
Moeen Qayum, Co-Head – Debt Capital Markets, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Husain Alkhaja, GCC Regional Director, DDCAP
James Sadler, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Structured Finance, Banking and Corporate Finance, Oman Investment Bank
Maya Marissa Malek, CEO, Sabiq Advisory
Sabir Ahmed, Managing Di...
Roundtable: Building a Trusted Shariah Compliant Digital Asset Ecosystem – Stablecoins and Digital Currencies
Moderator:
Fahad Siddiqui, Founder and CEO, Mabrook
Panelists:
Anita Wieja-Caruba, Expert – CEO Office, Capital Markets Authority
Dr Bhaskar Dasgupta, Principal – Sun Foundation (ADGM – Family Office) and Independent Non-Executive Chairman and Director, Advisory Board Member
Eslam Anbar, CEO, Phi Wallet
Junaid Aziz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cogmerce AI Advisory
Omar Bouhafs, Group Chief Financial Officer, Australian Gulf Capital
The Future of Islamic Finance: Strategy, Stability & Scale
A high-level discussion bringing together industry leaders to explore funding, liquidity, and growth in a shifting global environment. Panellists share insights on managing macroeconomic challenges, evolving regulation, and the strategies driving resilience and expansion across Islamic financial markets.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Basheer Ahmad, Senior Manager, Dubai Financial Service Authority
Khurram Hilal, Chief Executive Officer, Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of...
Keynote Address - Innovation with Integrity: Regulating Digital Assets within a Shariah-Compliant Financial Ecosystem
Ruben Bombardi, General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Enablement, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
