IFN OnAir

In this episode, Aminah Farid speaks with officials from the Ugandan government and financial regulators on how Uganda is structuring its debut sovereign Sukuk to manage debt sustainability, the progress of the Standard Gauge Railway project and the role of Islamic finance in broadening the country's infrastructure financing mix.

Irshad Rasheed, a founding board member of Islamic Finance Trade Association of North America, gives IFN an exclusive first look into the country's first industry-wide trade association, which already has a healthy pipeline of initiatives including the launching of Sukuk and a Shariah compliant education savings plan.

We explore how Uzbekistan's accelerating digital transformation can drive Islamic finance adoption. We discuss digital onboarding, blockchain applications, fintech partnerships, and how the national payments ecosystem can support scalable Shariah-compliant banking and Takaful solutions.Moderator:Dr Adnan Aziz, Managing Director, Inclusive Resource ManagementPanelists:Alkhazur Tazbaev, Shariah Advisor, Zayed Fund for Entrepreneurship and InnovationIrodakhon Oripova, Project Manager, Mezon KengashiMurod Khusanov, Founder and Chair, BetterFuture GroupOkan Ünverdi, Chief Operating Officer, MobvenOtabek Aliaskarov, Member of Expert Council, Fintech Association of UzbekistanOtabek Nasirov, Chairman, Central Asian Fintech Association

We review the regulatory enablers for funds and asset management, prospects for Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes, demand from institutional and retail investors, and the potential for partnerships with regional asset managers as Uzbekistan develops its capital markets.Moderator:Hayotjon Azimov, Head of Advisory, Al Muamalat ConsultingPanelists:Hakan Ozyon, Group Chief Executive Officer, Hejaz Financial ServicesLeah Weldon-Evans, Head of Islamic Capital Markets and Structuring, Simmons & Simmons Middle EastDr Indra Gunawan, Chief Investment Officer and Member of Executive Board, Badan Pengelola Keuangan HajiMunir Yakubov, CEO and Founder, Portfolio Investments

Muzaffarjon Nizamidinov, Senior Principal, Line of Finance, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector

A regional deep dive exploring how Uzbekistan can anchor an Islamic investment and capital-raising corridor across Central Asia. The session highlights opportunities for regional cross-border trade and capital flows, infrastructure financing, investment partnerships, and the policy measures needed to elevate Uzbekistan's competitiveness as an Islamic finance and capital market hub in the New Asia economic landscape.Moderator:Dr Adnan Aziz, Managing Director, Inclusive Resource ManagementPanelists:Alisher Djumanov, Managing Partner, AD WealthDiyor Isroilov, Head of Investor Center Coordination Unit, Ministry of Investment, Industryand Trade of the Republic of UzbekistanJames Sadler, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Structured Finance, Banking and Corporate Finance, Oman Investment BankLeah Weldon-Evans, Head of Islamic Capital Markets and Structuring, Simmons & Simmons Middle EastUlan Abylgaziev, Division Manager, Line of Finance Division, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector

We examine the next phase of Uzbekistan's Islamic finance agenda, including regulator-driven ecosystem development, the integration of international Shariah and prudential standards, capacity-building priorities, and the active role of state-owned enterprises and corporates in establishing a sustainable industry foundation.Moderator:Alisher Djumanov, Managing Partner, AD WealthPanelists:Bakhrom Numonov, Council Chairman, Association of Islamic Finance & TakafulBashar Al-Natoor, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, Fitch RatingsBekhruzbek Ochilov, Investment Banking Director, ALKESAssociate Professor Dr Gapur Oziev, Managing Director, IKIACADMYMukhtar Umarov, Chairman, Assembly of Economy of Uzbekistan

Saibjan Khudayberdiyev, Head of Capital Market Development Department, National Agency for Prospective Projects of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Musakhadzhaev Sanjar, Deputy Director of Department, Uzbekistan Banking Association

Irvan Susandy, Director of Trading and Membership, Indonesia Stock Exchange

We explore how Indonesia can evolve its investment sector beyond existing models to become a regional hub for Shariah-compliant funds and private equity. We discuss the need for product innovation, including new fund structures, private market strategies and diversified asset classes, to attract global Islamic capital. We also examine how technology, regulatory support, collaboration and ESG integration can strengthen market access, transparency and competitiveness.Moderator:Kautsar Primadi Nurahmad, Vice Director, Corporate Secretary, Indonesia Stock ExchangePanelists:Abdulhaq Mohammed, Singapore Managing Partner and Head of Asia, Trowers & HamlinsArief Subekti, Executive Vice President, Head of Shariah Business, PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero)Dr Bilal Ilhan, County Advisor – Investment and Finance Office, Presidency of the Republic of TürkiyeDarius Nass, Associate Director, Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones IndicesDr Indra Gunawan, Chief Investment Officer and Member of Executive Board, Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji

Dr Nabil Hani Qaddumi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, TaawonDr Tareq Emtairah, Director General, Taawon

Mufti Faraz Adam, Shariah Advisor – Digital Assets, Tokenisation & Web3, Fasset

We examine the development of Islamic capital markets across ASEAN and the shared challenge of transforming regional scale and demand into sustained issuance, liquidity, and market depth. The discussion will explore opportunities and constraints in corporate sukuk and Shariah-compliant capital raising across ASEAN markets, including issuer readiness, pricing dynamics, cross-border structures, and secondary market participation.We discuss how innovation, fintech and regulatory collaboration can broaden the issuer base, strengthen investor confidence and support a more resilient Islamic capital markets ecosystem.Moderator:Rafiza Ghazali, Managing Director, Consumer Banking, FassetPanelists:Boniarga Mangiring, Investment Specialist, Credit Guarantee and Investment FacilityDimas Yusuf, Investment Director, Sucor Asset ManagementDien Sukmarini, Senior Assistant Director of Capital Markets and Islamic Capital Market Development Directorate, Financial Services Authority (OJK)Irwan Abdalloh, Senior Vice Director, Head of Islamic Capital Market Division, Indonesia Stock ExchangeDr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad, Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP Group™

Through an expert panel, we explore Indonesia's Islamic finance landscape, spanning banking, capital markets, Takaful, social finance and MSME financing. We examine policy and regulatory priorities shaping a resilient Shariah-compliant ecosystem, alongside strategies to expand financial inclusion and improve access to finance for MSM enterprises. We discuss the growing role of Islamic fintech, collaboration among regulators, institutionsModerator:Nicholas Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & HamlinsPanelists:Anna Kristanty, Senior Vice President of International & Financial Institution Group, PT Bank Syariah IndonesiaChong Jun Wong, Assistant Vice President – Analyst, Financial Institution Group, Moody's RatingsEko Adi Irianto, Deputy Director, Department of Islamic Economy and Finance, Bank IndonesiaMochamad Imron, Senior Analyst, the Directorate of Banking, Financial Market and Other Financing Development, Directorate General of Stability and Financial Sector Development, Ministry of Finance Republic of IndonesiaRahman Hakim, Deputy Director – Islamic Banking Directorate – Shariah Banking Development and Regulation, Financial Services Authority (OJK)

Henry Rialdi, Head of Department of Capital Market Regulation and Development, Financial Services Authority (OJK)

Risa E Rustam, Director, Indonesia Stock Exchange

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Dr Nabil Qaddumi, the chairman of Taawon, Dr Tareq Emtairah, the director-general of Taawon and Amer Shomali, the director-general of The Palestinian Museum, about the Noor Gaza Orphan Care program, long-term Islamic social finance structures and the role of cultural preservation and digital archiving in supporting Palestinian resilience efforts.

In this episode, Andrei Ugarov, the head of credit advisory at Impact46, talks to IFN editor Nessreen Tamano about what is driving the shift in Saudi Arabia's Sukuk market and how recent landmark issuances are shaping future deals.

This IFN Podcast episode hosted by Nessreen Tamano features Fawad Khan, the managing director for the Middle East at Fasanara Capital, and looks at how Islamic fintech in the GCC region is evolving.

Usama Ehsan, a partner at Safwa Advisory and Shariah board member at Bank Alfalah, speaks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about the opportunities and challenges in scaling Pakistan's Islamic finance industry globally.

In this IFN Podcast episode, Dr Amjad Hammad, the founder and CEO of Baraka Prosperity Partners, talks to IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano about the potential of healthcare infrastructure as an emerging class for Islamic investors.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 28th February – 6th March 2026.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 21st – 27th February 2026.

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Iskandar Tursunov, the CEO and Founder of Al Muamalat Consulting, about Uzbekistan's newly approved Islamic banking law, Sukuk developments, fintech innovation, international standard-setting partnerships and the country's ambition to become a leading Islamic finance hub in Central Asia

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 14th-20th February 2026.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 7th–13th February 2026.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 31st January – 6th February 2026.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 24th – 30th January 2026.

In this episode, Aminah Farid speaks with Shahira Johan, senior financial sector specialist at the World Bank and co-author of the Islamic Finance and Climate Agenda report, on how Islamic finance can support climate action, scale sustainable instruments and build climate-resilient communities across OIC economies. 

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  10th – 16th January 2026.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  3rd – 9th January 2026.

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Mohamad Safri Hamid, the CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM), about IILM's upsized Sukuk program, rising global demand for Shariah compliant liquidity instruments, the growth of its primary dealer network and its role in addressing cross-border Islamic liquidity gaps.

Moderator:Faezah Abdullah, Head of Shariah, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad MalaysiaPanelists:Dr Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, Chairman Global Shariah Supervisory Committee, Standard Chartered Bank & Chairperson of Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank PakistanDato' Prof. Dr Ashraf Md Hashim, Internal Shariah Supervision Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank UAEDr Ahcene Lahsasna, Chairman Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia & Chairman Internal Shariah Supervision Committee, Standard Chartered Bank UAEDr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank PakistanDr Hakimah Yaacob, Shariah Committee Member, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  29th November – 5th December 2025.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  22nd – 28th November 2025.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the  15th – 21st November 2025.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 8th – 14th November 2025.

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Jesmond Gatt, the chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), and Clare Farrugia, the head of strategy, policy and innovation at the MFSA, on Malta's plans to introduce a dedicated Sukuk framework, a first for the jurisdiction. The discussion explores the MFSA's objectives, Shariah governance measures and Malta's vision to position itself as a European gateway for Islamic finance.

Pakistan's US$1.9 trillion real estate market has long operated on cash and opacity. Now, a decade after the nation launched its first Islamic REIT, the sector is entering a new phase of regulation and digital reform that could transform how Pakistanis own property, with Shariah structures leading the way. Naeem Illyas Khanani, CEO of DigiEstate and Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management's audit chairman discusses with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan how the country's real estate market is at an inflection point.

We explore the evolving landscape of Islamic investment management in Pakistan—from shifting asset allocation trends to the rise of mutual funds, ETFs, and REITs. What progress has been made in product innovation and investor access, and how effectively has Islamic asset management been positioned? Join us as we assess the next steps needed to scale Islamic investment and wealth management solutions across the country.Moderator:Rukhsana Narejo, Chief Treasury and Alternate Investments, Raqami IslamicPanelists:Imtiaz Gadar, Chief Executive, Al Meezan Investment Management LimitedNadir Rahman, CEO, Faysal FundsTariq Naseem, Head of Islamic Finance Department, Securities and Exchange Commission of PakistanTariq Sultan, Chief Business Development Officer and COO, Mahaana Wealth

Adnan Fasih, Group Head, Islamic Banking, Habib Bank AG ZurichZaid Naveed, Head Business Strategy and Market Intelligence, Habib Bank AG Zurich

Zeeshan Rehman Khattak, Commissioner – Specialized Companies Division, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan

With key reforms underway, can Pakistan emerge as a regional hub for Islamic capital markets? We explore the strategic direction set by the Islamic Capital Market Development Committee and what it means for growth, innovation, and resilience. We ask how non-sovereign Sukuk issuance can be accelerated, and how capital markets will play a pivotal role in supporting the broader financial system conversion—unlocking new opportunities for both banking and non-banking sectors.Moderator:Farmida Bi, Chair, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Norton Rose FulbrightPanelists:Iffat Zehra Mankani, CEO, JS InvestmentsJawad Hashmi, General Manager, Chief Market Operations Officer, Pakistan Stock Exchange LimitedMuhammad Haris Munawar, Group Head - Wholesale Banking, BankIslami PakistanSyed Umair Alam Zaidi, SVP, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Syndications, Faysal Bank Limited

Moderator:Azhar Aslam, Head Islamic Banking, Pakistan, Standard Chartered SaadiqPanelists:Dr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank PakistanDr Mufti Muhammad Sarfaraz Nihal, Resident Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank PakistanMufti Muhammad Abdul Mubeen, Group Head Shariah, Standard Chartered Bank, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan & Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia

How are Islamic financial institutions leveraging digital tools and fintech partnerships to transform service delivery, drive innovation, and expand financial inclusion? We explore how AI, mobile apps, and tech-enabled platforms are improving efficiency and customer experience, assess the regulatory and infrastructure challenges ahead, and ask how digital innovation can offer sustainable, scalable solutions for the growth of Islamic finance.Moderator:Syed Faraz Anwer, Partner, A.F. Ferguson & Co. (PwC Pakistan)Panelists:Husain Alkhaja, GCC Regional Director, DDCAPNaureen Hyat, Financial Inclusion SpecialistNoshad Minhas, CEO and Co-Founder, Walee Financial ServicesSaleemullah Shaikh, Head of Islamic Banking, HabibMetro

Yousaf Hussain, President and CEO, Faysal Bank

What does Pakistan's shift to a fully Islamic financial system by 2028 mean for financial institutions? We explore the impact of the FSC's ruling and State Bank reforms, offering strategic insights into regulatory transformation, market leadership, and new opportunities in financial inclusion and the Islamic economy. We hear from industry leaders on how to position for success in a changing landscape.Moderator:Dr Irum Saba, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance, Institute of Business AdministrationPanelists:Azeem Pirani, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, EFU Life AssuranceMuhammad Faisal Shaikh, Head, Shariah Compliance and Advisory, Faysal BankShauzab Ali, Principal Project Officer, Asian Development BankSyed Tanveer Hussain, Group Executive and SEVP - Corporate, Commercial and Investment Banking, Meezan Bank

In this episode, Ihsan Waqf founder and CEO Aminnurllah Mustapah discusses with IFN's Nessreen Tamano how the foundation is transforming Islamic endowments in to productive assets, starting with unconventional projects.

Listen to IFN's round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 17th to the 23rd October 2025.