IFN OnAir

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

The Rt Hon Lucy Rigby KC MP , Economic Secretary to the Treasury

Dr Abdulkader Thomas , Fellow in Islamic Financial Markets, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

We review the UK’s evolving position as a global centre for Islamic finance and whether market growth, regulatory clarity and innovation are keeping pace with expectations. We assess the sector’s strengths, such as legal certainty and international connectivity, alongside pressures around Shariah integrity, digital transformation and domestic market uptake. With prudential reform delays and shifti...

Stella Cox CBE , FCSI(Hon), DDCAP Group™, Chair of IFMAG, TheCityUK

Islamic asset management faces product scarcity, pushing managers toward alternatives and real assets, now increasingly supported by data analytics, digital custody and tokenisation. How is technology reshaping portfolio construction, screening methodologies, reporting and access to private markets for both retail and global investors? How can managers further develop effective Islamic products wh...

Abdulwahhab Abed , Chief Executive Officer, SEDCO Capital

Max Freeman , Founder, Epicenter Labs

Shariah-compliant pensions remain limited, particularly within workplace schemes and default fund options, despite strong unmet demand. We examine how providers can close gaps in access, scale and pricing through digital platforms, Shariah-screened investment strategies and Takaful-based retirement income solutions, and how these innovations can support the development of credible and competitive...

Patrick Drum , Fixed Income Lead and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital