The two-day summit will discuss how ethical finance can promote investment, innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainable economic growth.

London, October 5, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- Global financial and business leaders, government ministers, policymakers, scholars, and industry experts will gather in London from October 13 to 14 to discuss how Islamic finance can transform its ethical principles into tangible economic impact in areas such as investment, regulation, technology, and financial inclusion.

The 5th Annual Al-Balaka Summit will be held in London on JW Marriott Grosvenor House, with the theme " Ethics in Action : Rebuilding Foundations and Advancing the Global Impact of the Islamic Economy" ("Putting Ethics into Action: Rebuilding Foundations and Promoting the Global Influence of the Islamic Economy"). Leaders from markets with a majority Muslim population and those with a majority non-Muslim population will attend together.

This summit will start from an economic framework based on the principle of ethics, and explore how justice, accountability, risk sharing, and social responsibility can shape financial markets, investment, regulation, technology, and economic development.

Over the two-day agenda, participants will discuss topics including policy and regulation, Islamic banks and capital markets, social finance and Islamic insurance ( Takaful ), Waqf and Zakat, digitalization and entrepreneurship, as well as the role of global financial centers in promoting an ethical and globally relevant Islamic economy.

H.E. Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Al-Balaka Forum for Islamic Economics, stated: "Islamic economics is never merely about financial products. Its foundation connects economic activities with justice, accountability, and responsibility towards society. The challenge before us is to ensure that these principles are not just discussed but put into action. London provides an important platform for this dialogue, linking Islamic finance with one of the world's leading international financial centers."

Speakers at the summit included: the Chairman of the Sharia Committee of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions ( Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions ), His Excellency; the Minister of Housing and Land of the Government of Mauritius, His Excellency Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Mohamed; the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria, Dr. His Excellency Doris Uzoka - Anite; Suluh Centre, Executive Chairman Nurul Izzah Anwar Ibrahim; and Arab Bank Europe, Chief Operating Officer Mohammad Shoaib Memon.

The complete list of speakers for the fifth summit can be viewed here.

On the first day, the roundtable discussion with the CEOs of Islamic banks will explore policies, regulations, and global trends, including how the regulatory framework has evolved, the role of ethics in public policy, and the priorities for the next phase of this industry.

Another meeting will discuss how Islamic banks, investments, and capital markets can enhance ethical confidence, support long-term development, and increase the international influence of ethical investments and funds.

Financial inclusivity and social resilience will also be another major topic on the agenda. Relevant meetings will discuss the role of social funds and Takaful – Islamic insurance – in strengthening social security, as well as how mature Islamic tools such as Waqf, Qard Hasan, Zakat, and Sadaqah can move beyond charitable relief to focus on long-term development and social empowerment.

On the second day, the focus will be on the next stage of development in this industry, including the role of global financial centers in creating an environment conducive to the growth of ethical Islamic finance. Technology will also be a key topic, with discussions on how digital transformation, entrepreneurship, social media, and the creative economy will reshape the next generation of the Islamic economy.

The agenda will also include a workshop hosted by the Center for Strategic Thinking, titled “Demographic Growth and Islamic Economic Expansion: Population Growth and Islamic Economic Expansion: New Perspectives”; as well as a special session supported by the Saleh Kamel Islamic Economy Award (“SKIEA”), titled “From Research to Impact” (“From Research to Impact”), which will connect graduate researchers and scholars in the field of Islamic economy and finance with industry practitioners.

The 5th Albaraka Summit will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13th and 14th, 2026, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm at W1K, 7TN, 86-90 Park Lane in London.

The summit's partners and sponsors include: the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Development ( ICCD ) as a strategic partner, Al Baraka Group as a global partner, Anadolu Agency as a global communications partner, Arab Bank Europe as a gold sponsor, and Libya Africa Investment Portfolio as a silver sponsor.

About AlBaraka Forum

AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy is an independent, non-profit global think tank dedicated to the comprehensive study of Islamic economics. The forum originates from the profound heritage of its founder Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, which encompasses multiple fields of Islamic economic research and development.

The forum is committed to enriching research resources and serving the knowledge system of Islamic economics, and it establishes partnerships and alliances with regional and international institutions in order to anticipate contemporary economic challenges and developments, keeping up with the pace of Islamic economy and finance. This will enhance the forum's role as a beacon of global economic and financial knowledge.

About the AlBaraka Summit series

The AlBaraka Summit series, founded by Sheikh Saleh Kamel, aims to expand the global influence of Islamic economics and finance. The series originated in London and has since expanded to major economic centers around the world. It brings together thought leaders and opinion leaders in the field of Islamic economics to discuss timeless fundamental principles as well as contemporary topics, covering a range of economic forms from profit-seeking enterprises to charitable endeavors.

The AlBaraka Forum organization holds summits by country, with the first summit taking place in London. The second summit is held annually in Saudi Arabia and is sponsored by His Highness the Prince of the Medina region. Our most recent summit in Turkey was attended by His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdo ğ an, the President of the Republic of Turkey.