Organiser: Bank Negara Malaysia & MIFC Leadership Council (MLC)
The MIFC Global Impact Challenge 2025 is organised by Bank Negara Malaysia and MIFC Leadership Council to promote cross-border fertilisation and innovation of ethical and value-based finance. It is held in partnership with the global partners including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Islamic Finance Council UK, the Islamic Development Bank, and the World Bank Group Inclusive Growth & Sustainable Finance Hub in Malaysia. Asia School of Business’ Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center is the knowledge partner and accelerator programme provider, while the Fintech Association of Malaysia and Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance Malaysia are the ecosystem partners. Islamic Finance News supported as the media partner.
The Demo Day will showcase ten finalists who will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges comprising esteemed individuals representing the competition's organisers and partners to identify promising and innovative financial solutions to be crowned as the winners. For more information, please visit the official website: https://mifclc.com/global-impact-challenge-overview/
Dato' Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, CEO, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad & President, AIBIM
Speaker: H.E. Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ibn Haldun University (Turkiye)
Overview
The OIC countries possess significant potential for intra-regional investment, yet much of their financial resources are underutilized within the Muslim world. It is crucial to develop strategies that enable OIC countries to channel investments among themselves, leveraging Islamic finance as a bridge to enhance economic cooperation, strengthen mutual prosperity, and support sustainable development across member states. This approach ensures that the benefits of investment remain within the OIC ecosystem, fostering shared growth and resilience.
Moderator
Kamarul Bahrin Haron, Former Editor in Chief, Astro AWANI
Panellists
Overview
The presentation will cover the outlook of the global Islamic finance industry, the current landscape, and the sector’s performance while highlighting key opportunities and challenges. It will also provide insights on Malaysia’s position and key facts about the Islamic finance industry in the country.
Speaker
Mustafa Adil, Head of Islamic Finance, London Stock Exchange Group (UK)
Theme: Invest in Green Today, Secure Tomorrow's Future
Overview
A unified framework for standardizing Shariah practices enhances market confidence by offering businesses a predictable, transparent, and compliant environment. This facilitates seamless linkages across industries, enabling businesses to focus on growth opportunities without concern for inconsistent practices. By ensuring alignment with established Shariah principles, the framework minimizes operational disruptions, demonstrating that compliance need not hinder business operations. Instead, it creates a level playing field that fosters collaboration, attracts diverse investments, and broadens market access. This approach not only strengthens the Islamic finance sector’s global competitiveness but also positions it as a reliable partner for long-term, sustainable business growth.
Moderator
Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin, Professor, INCEIF (Malaysia)
Panellists
Overview
Can Islamic finance be a true catalyst for sustainability? This session explores how Malaysia’s Islamic banks, through Value-Based Intermediation (VBI), are leading the charge in climate action, social impact, and sustainable economic growth. By showcasing real-world projects and investment strategies, the discussion will highlight how Islamic finance goes beyond compliance to drive meaningful change, mobilizing capital for green initiatives, financial inclusion, and ethical investments.
Moderator
Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman, WWF-Malaysia
Panellists
Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia
Overview
Payments are no longer just about issuing and acquiring; they are evolving into digital ecosystems that connect consumers, merchants, banks, fintechs, and even non-bank players. In Malaysia, this shift is being driven by Wallet as a Service, Card as a Service, API-first innovation, and embedded finance, enabling new digital-first experiences and inclusive financial services.
At the same time, acquirers and cooperative banks are transforming through ecosystem enablement, SoftPOS, e-commerce, QR commerce, and scalable digital lending, while AI-powered fraud management and digital identity safeguard trust. This session explores how Malaysia can harness these innovations to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready payment ecosystem, positioning the nation as a leader in the next era of digital commerce.
Speaker
Imran Vilcassim, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Digital Banking, BPC (Switzerland)
Overview
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Islamic Finance, the integration of Artificial Intelligence emerges as a transformative force, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency, promote ethical compliance, and foster innovation. AI technologies, such as machine learning and predictive analytics, can empower Islamic financial institutions to streamline operations, mitigate risks, and tailor Sharia-compliant solutions for a dynamic market. Embracing AI within Islamic Finance not only aligns with the principles of transparency and fairness but also positions the industry at the forefront of technological advancement, paving the way for a more resilient and inclusive financial ecosystem.
Moderator
Suhaimi Ali, Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia
Panellists
Overview
This ASEAN Spotlight session will position the ASEAN Takaful Alliance (ATA) & Turkiye (ASEAN+ Alliance) as a bold and visionary regional and global Takaful initiative, during integration, innovation, and shared success across ASEAN’s Takaful landscape. ASEAN+ exemplifies how purposeful collaboration among diverse member markets can establish ASEAN+ as a global reference point for Takaful excellence. This session will chart ASEAN’s & Turkiye remarkable Takaful journey from pioneering domestic development to the emergence of digitally advanced, innovation-led, and inclusive ecosystem. It will underscore how collective strength, common Shariah values, and a unified strategic vision are enabling the region to lead in Shariah-compliant protection, with ATA as the unifying force accelerating this transformation. More than just a regional effort, ASEAN+ represents a model of cross-border cooperation that is future-ready, scalable, and impactful supporting not only commercial growth but also social resilience, financial inclusion, and ethical innovation.
Moderator
Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, CEO, Malaysian Takaful Association
Panellists
Overview
The session will focus on how IFI can bring impacts to the vulnerable if we have courage to challenge the status quo by bridging tradition and tomorrow.
Speaker
Mohd Zikri Mohd Shairy, Director, Social Finance Division, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad
Overview
As the global demand for Halal products continues to rise, Islamic finance stands at the forefront of addressing critical challenges like food security, ethical sourcing, and sustainable agricultural practices. This session delves into how innovative Islamic finance structures, including sukuk and Sharia-compliant funds, can catalyze the growth of the Halal sector. By fostering investment in agricultural development, enhancing supply chain infrastructure, and promoting sustainable farming practices, Islamic finance not only supports the expansion of the Halal industry but also ensures a trustworthy, ethical, and resilient global food supply chain. This discussion highlights how Islamic finance is leading the charge in shaping a more secure, sustainable, and equitable food system worldwide.
Moderator
Luqman Hariz, Astro AWANI (Malaysia)
Panellists
Overview
Transformative macro-economic trends – geopolitical, social, technological - are leading to shifts across the global landscape. Public and private investors are navigating a time of unprecedented uncertainty and opportunity. This panel will discuss the prospects for the developing world and Islamic economies in addressing new developments, as finance and capital moves to meet these global changes in supply and demand.
Moderator
Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO, CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad & AIBIM Vice President (Malaysia)
Panellists
Overview
This session reflects on the key insights and transformative ideas shared throughout the event. It highlights how Islamic finance, rooted in timeless ethical principles, continues to evolve as a driver of business progression and societal empowerment. The session will synthesize discussions on leveraging innovation, fostering inclusivity, and building resilience to achieve sustainable growth. This closing dialogue serves as a call to action for participants to translate the Forum's vision into impactful strategies, paving the way for a future where enduring values and cutting-edge advancements converge to create a world of shared prosperity.
Moderator
Dato' Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, CEO, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad & President, AIBIM
Panellists
Organiser: Standard Chartered Saadiq Sdn Bhd
Standard Chartered Saadiq is organising the fourth edition of its Global Shariah Majlis, a thought leadership forum that brings together its esteemed Shariah scholars and leading industry experts to drive strategic dialogue on Islamic finance.
This year’s theme, Bridging Tradition and Tomorrow: Faith, Finance and the Future, highlights the need for Islamic finance to continuously adapt and evolve to ensure market relevance and competitiveness, while upholding its core principles of Shariah compliance, ethics and social responsibility. This exclusive event offers a unique platform to gain insights on the latest trends in the industry and the future of Islamic banking, Shariah governance, and the evolving role of ethical finance in today’s dynamic world.
Organiser: AIBIM
The inaugural AIBIM Shariah Ledger takes you behind closed doors into Malaysia’s Islamic banking governance, where the Shariah Advisory Committee’s (SAC) vault deliberations reveal the guiding principles and strategic judgments shaping core policies, the Shariah Governance Committee’s (SGC) debates unpack the frameworks that ensure rigorous oversight and accountability, and the Shariah Review Committee’s (SRC) sessions showcase pioneering review methodologies best practices.
These unprecedented insights into SAC, SGC, and SRC underscore the challenges, innovations, and collaborative spirit driving Shariah standardisation and transformation, charting a clear path forward for the future of Islamic finance.
Seats are limited and participation is applicable to staff of AIBIM member banks only.
Organiser: AIBIM & Cyber Security Malaysia
As digital transformation accelerates across ASEAN’s banking sector, Islamic finance institutions face growing risks from cyberattacks and data breaches to financial fraud and scams. The evolving threat landscape demands stronger safeguards and deeper collaboration.
This forum will gather leading voices from Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos to explore how the Islamic finance can enhance cyber resilience, protect system integrity, and build digital trust rooted in Shariah principles.
Key discussions will address emerging cyber risks, anti-fraud strategies, compliance and governance challenges, and strategies for building a secure and resilient digital ecosystem in Shariah-compliant finance.
Organiser – Labuan IBFC & Kenanga Investment Bank
In conjunction with the 8th Global Islamic Finance Forum, Labuan IBFC together with Kenanga Investment Bank will host an exclusive post-forum titled “Digitalising Maqasid al-Shariah: Islamic Finance for the Next Era” on 15 October 2025 at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
As the world embraces Economy 4.0, the intersection of digital innovation and Shariah-aligned finance presents unprecedented opportunities for growth, inclusivity, and ethical wealth creation. This high-level engagement will explore the transformative potential of tokenisation, digital assets, and Islamic digital finance, while positioning Malaysia, through Labuan IBFC, as a pioneering hub in this new era.
Key highlights include exploring tokenisation and digital assets — from Sukuk 4.0 unlocking global liquidity to AI Sukuk emerging as a new alternative asset class, alongside smart contracts enhancing zakat and waqf transparency. The programme will also introduce Climate Sukuk within the wider green and sustainable finance agenda, integrating Maqasid al-Shariah into climate initiatives and tokenising carbon and biodiversity credits. In addition, discussions on AI, digital platforms, and impact investing will highlight machine learning for Shariah-compliant portfolios, expanding SME access, and embedding measurable ESG and SDG outcomes.
Aligned with this vision, the programme will also showcase Kenanga Investment Bank’s strategic fintech initiatives, particularly under Project Juara, which underscores the institution’s role in shaping Malaysia’s digital finance future.
As part of this milestone event, there will also be a signing ceremony between Labuan IBFC Inc. and the Association of Shariah Advisers in Islamic Finance Malaysia (ASAS) — a collaboration aimed at strengthening Shariah governance, Shariah talent, and fostering greater innovation in Islamic finance.
Bringing together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, scholars, and technology leaders, this post-forum creates a forward-looking platform to shape the future of Shariah-compliant digital finance ecosystems.
Join us to gain fresh insights, strategies, and innovations designed to help investors, families, and businesses preserve, grow, and transition wealth with confidence — all through Malaysia and Labuan IBFC’s unique value propositions.
Seats are limited and participation is applicable to all AIBIM Members and participants of GIFF.
Organiser: World Bank Group Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Malaysia
This event marks the public dissemination of the World Bank’s report, “iTEKAD: Making Inroads into Social Finance,” which explores how Islamic social finance instruments—such as zakat, waqf, and sadaqah—can be integrated with entrepreneurship support to uplift underserved communities. The event will feature a panel, From Capital to Impact: Social Finance and Entrepreneurship Development, which will convene distinguished panelists from government, industry, and the social finance ecosystem to discuss innovative programs and approaches that leverage social finance as a driver for entrepreneurship and inclusive growth.
With participation from both the public and private sectors, the session will highlight practical experiences, opportunities, and policy considerations to strengthen the role of social finance in supporting entrepreneurial resilience and sustainable development. Designed for policymakers, Islamic finance practitioners, development agencies, and civil society organizations, the event aims to foster dialogue on strengthening Malaysia’s social finance ecosystem and identifying strategies to scale impactful, value-based finance models across the region.
Organiser: AIBIM
Explore the Pfida model of home ownership, built on partnership principles rather than debt. Backed by prominent scholars, this UK-based model sets a new benchmark in aligning home ownership with Maqasid al-Shariah, going beyond the bare minimum to deliver ethical, impactful solutions.
Established in the UK since 2016, Pfida has paved the way for a new generation of Shariah-compliant housing models that balance risk management, profitability, and consumer satisfaction. This session will explore how the industry can evolve towards this approach.
Moderator
Dr. Ashraf Iqbal, Chairman, Waafi Bank Ltd
Panellists
REGISTER NOW to secure your seat.
Stay tuned for more updates, including the detailed agenda and our line-up of distinguished speakers who will be sharing their insights and expertise.
Organiser: INCEIF University
Venue: The Lounge, INCEIF University Campus, Jalan Tun Ismail 50480 KL
INCEIF is pleased to be part of GIFF2025, hosting a special ID@INCEIF session on the sidelines to discuss “Valuing the Unseen: Islamic Finance for the Care Economy, Compassion, and Community Resilience.” The care economy is vital for Malaysia, addressing ageing society needs, enriching the development of children and people with special needs, providing an ecosystem to increase women labour force participation thereby foster social resilience, inclusive growth, and long-term national productivity.
This discourse gathers experts to highlight the vital role of the care economy in addressing ageing needs, child and special needs development, and enabling women’s participation in the workforce - key factors in building resilience, inclusivity, and community wellbeing. It will also explore how Islamic finance instruments such as sukuk, waqf, and zakat can support childcare, elderly care, healthcare, and community services.