Madinah – April 18, 2025

The Al Baraka Symposium for Islamic Economics concluded its 45th edition's scientific activities, held over two days at Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz University in Madinah, under the theme "Islamic Banking at Fifty: Past Achievements and Future Hopes," with notable attendance from scholars of Islamic economics and finance, and international experts from more than 15 countries.

In-Depth Discussions on the Future of Islamic Banking

The symposium's closing sessions, among the most prestigious intellectual events in Islamic economics, discussed several vital themes, most notably:

  • Islamic banks as a tool for social and economic development, with speakers addressing the important role of Islamic banks in stimulating economic sustainability.
  • The future of Islamic banks amid global challenges, with a focus on digital transformation and ethical risk management.
  • The role of major banking groups in leading the Islamic finance sector and promoting its concepts globally.

Senior academics and executives from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Qatar, Turkey and elsewhere participated in these sessions, reflecting the symposium's international dimension and its importance in shaping the features of Islamic finance in the coming decade.

Memories and History: From the Heart of the Experience

In a moving gesture, Sheikh Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Manea, advisor at the Royal Court and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, delivered a lecture titled "My Memories of Islamic Banking," reviewing the beginnings of the Islamic finance project and how it developed into today's global financial system, now applied in more than 80 countries.

46th Edition Announced: 'Charity and Benevolence in the Islamic Economy'

Al Baraka Forum Secretary-General Yousef Hassan Khalawi announced, at the symposium's close, the theme of the next edition for 2026: "The Charity and Benevolence Sector in the Islamic Economy: Toward a New Future," stressing the importance of linking spiritual values with financial practice amid ongoing developments in the global economy.