IFN OnAir

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 deman...

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-bor...

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 T...

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...

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 , Grou...

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...

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 Lomona...

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 diversifica...

Ruben Bombardi , General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Enablement, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority

Moderator: Faezah Abdullah , Head of Shariah, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia Panelists: Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari , Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank Dr Irshad Ahmad Aijaz , Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Professor Datin Dr Rusni Hassan , Shariah Committee Member, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad, Malaysia Professor Dr. Zubair Moham...

Moderator: Dr Alaa Alaabed , Director, Group Islamic FM Products, Standard Chartered Bank Panelists: Professor Dato' Dr Aznan Hasan , Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank Dr Ahcene Lahsasna , Chairman Internal Shariah Supervision Committee, Standard Chartered Bank UAE and Chairman Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad, Malaysia Dr Yousuf Sultan ,...

Moderator: Mohammed Valli , Shariah Head of Audit - Standard Chartered Bank, UAE Panelists: Dr Sheikh Nizam Yaquby , Chairman Global Shariah Supervisory Committee, Standard Chartered Bank & Chairperson of Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Dato' Dr Ashraf Md Hashim , Internal Shariah Supervision Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank UAE Associate Professor Dr Hakimah Haji...

Asia Al Raisi , Deputy Chief of Economist for Investment and Market Operations, Central Bank of Oman

Haitham Al Salmi , CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange

Oliver Agha , Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)

We offer focus on the strategic future of Islamic financial services across Oman, from banking and retail finance to capital markets and asset management. Industry leaders examine how the sector can support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, including economic diversification, private sector development, innovation and sustainable growth, while also considering how evolving regulatory and market...

Issa Khalfan Al Suqri , Head, Shariah Compliance and Audit, Meethaq Islamic Banking

Max Freeman , Founder, Epicenter Labs

As Oman’s banking sector evolves, this focused roundtable examines how Islamic finance can better support businesses and consumers while responding to changing expectations. We discuss opportunities across SME, housing and personal finance, and consider how digital delivery, data and efficient onboarding can broaden access and improve customer experience. We also ask how Islamic banks can balance...

Azza Al Habsi , VP – Economic Research, Ominvest, Ominvest

While Sukuk remain central to Oman’s capital markets, the next stage of development depends on broadening instruments, participation and liquidity. We examine how securitisation, private credit structures and evolving market infrastructure can complement Sukuk issuance and support sustainable growth. We discuss regulatory alignment, investor engagement and gradual innovation needed to strengthen O...

As Oman’s Islamic investment landscape evolves, public markets, real assets, private capital and emerging digital assets can play a role in mobilising long-term Shariah-compliant investment. We examine how listed markets, funds and Sukuk sit alongside infrastructure, asset-backed strategies, private capital and digitally enabled investment models in building market depth and participation. We also...

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Abdulla Al Hammadi, AVP - Ratings, Financial Institutions Group at Moody’s Ratings, about the performance of GCC Islamic banks in the first half of 2026 compared with their conventional peers. They discuss the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic pressures, developments in the Sukuk market and the key credit indicators Moody’s will be wat...

As Islamic finance accelerates digital adoption, we ask whether Shariah governance frameworks are robust enough to preserve trust and accountability. We examine how market-led oversight models are responding to AI-driven decision-making, automated product flows, tokenisation and cross-border digital services already in use. We discuss emerging governance gaps, fragmentation risks and what credible...

Alderman and Sheriff Robert Hughes-Penney , Representative of The Lady Mayor’s Office