Speakers

Dr. Adnan Chilwan is the Group CEO of DIB, managing over US$115 billion in assets across one of the world's largest Islamic financial institutions. With nearly 30 years of leadership expertise, he is a pioneer in bringing Islamic finance into global mainstream markets. Ranked among Forbes Middle East's 'Top 100 CEOs' and recognized as a top regional sustainability leader, Dr. Chilwan also serves on several high-profile boards, including Chairman of DIB Kenya. He holds a PhD, an MBA, and a CeIB certification.

Omar Mustafa Ansari serves as the Secretary General and Operational Head of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the leading global standard-setting body for the industry. A Fellow Member of ICAP and former Partner at EY Pakistan, he brings decades of specialized expertise in Shari’ah-compliant accounting, governance, and regulatory frameworks. At AAOIFI, he oversees the global development of standards across accounting, auditing, and ethics, while supporting major regulatory bodies including the SECP and State Bank of Pakistan. An accomplished author and Chief Editor of AAOIFI’s CIPA program study texts, Omar is a globally recognized thought leader driving standardization across the Islamic finance ecosystem.

Dr. Ghiath Shabsigh is the Secretary-General of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), leading the international standard-setting body responsible for the stability and soundness of the global Islamic financial services industry. A renowned economist with over 25 years of leadership at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), most recently as Assistant Director in the Monetary and Capital Markets Department, he spearheaded the IMF’s global strategy on Islamic banking, fintech, and central banking policy. Holding a PhD in Monetary and International Economics, Dr. Shabsigh is a premier authority on cross-border financial stability, Sukuk markets, and regulatory frameworks across banking, capital markets, and Takaful.

Dr. Humayon Dar is a renowned Cambridge-educated economist, global thought leader, and prominent architect of the modern Islamic finance ecosystem. He currently serves as Director General of the Cambridge Institute of Islamic Finance and Executive Chairman of the Cambridge-Edbiz Group. Throughout a distinguished career spanning senior roles, including Managing Director at Deutsche Bank, CEO at BMB Islamic, and Director General of the IsDB Institute, Dr. Dar has advised heads of state, central banks, and multinational institutions across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. As the founder of the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) and Global Islamic Finance Report (GIFR), he brings unmatched expertise in strategic policy, cross-border trade, and high-level stakeholder engagement.

Dr. Ahcene Lahsasna is the Chief Executive Officer of SALIHIN Shari’ah Advisory, Academic Advisor for SALIHIN Academy, and Chairman of the Shari’ah Committee at Standard Chartered Saadiq Bank Malaysia. A dual Ph.D. holder in Islamic Law (IIUM) and Business Economics (UM), he is an internationally award-winning Shariah scholar, prolific author, and fellow across leading professional bodies including CIIF, ASAS, and MFPC. In 2022, Dr. Lahsasna was recognized with the prestigious GIFA award for Shari’ah Advisory Leadership.

Khurram is the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq, leading the bank’s global Islamic banking business. With over 25 years of specialized industry experience across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, he serves on the boards of IIFM Bahrain, SCB Saadiq Malaysia, and Vault-22. Recognized in 2025 as The Asset’s "Islamic Banker of the Year" and Digital Banker’s "Islamic Finance CEO of the Year," he holds an MBA from IBA, has completed the CFA program, and is pursuing advanced studies in classical Islamic jurisprudence.

Charles Haresnape is Chief Executive Officer of Gatehouse Bank, leading the UK-headquartered Shariah-compliant institution since May 2017. With over three decades of leadership across major financial institutions including Aldermore Bank, NatWest, RBS, and HBOS, he is a prominent mortgage and banking industry veteran who previously served as Chairman of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA).

Mohieddine Kronfol is Chief Investment Officer for Global Sukuk and Head of Middle East Fixed Income at Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited. A 25-year pioneer in regional capital markets, he has managed global Sukuk assets since 2008 and previously launched the first fund focused exclusively on MENA debt at SHUAA Capital. An internationally recognized industry leader, his teams have earned multiple top honors from the EPF, MENA Fund Manager, and Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards.

Professor Talal Yassine AM is the Managing Director of Salaam, leading Australia’s premier Shariah-compliant wealth creation and personal finance group. An Australian business leader, academic, and philanthropist, he serves as Chairman of First Quay Capital and LandCorp Australia. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2024, Professor Yassine holds multiple professorial and fellow appointments across leading Australian universities and previously served on corporate boards including Australia Post and Sydney Ports.

Adnan Fasih is a global Islamic banking leader with 35+ years of banking experience, including 18+ years in Islamic finance. He has led the establishment and expansion of HBZ SIRAT’s Islamic banking business across Pakistan, UAE, UK, South Africa, Switzerland, DIFC and Canada. He holds an MBA from the University of Leicester and multiple Islamic Finance and AI certifications.

Eisa Al Amri is Associate Director, Macro-Prudential Supervision, at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), where he leads the Authority’s macro-prudential supervision function. With more than 15 years of experience in the supervision of conventional banks and Islamic financial institutions, he specialises in prudential regulation, financial stability, and systemic risk. In his role, Mr Al Amri contributes to the development of regulatory policy and supervisory frameworks within Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Mr Al Amri regularly engages on emerging risks, macro-financial trends, and policy developments affecting the financial services sector.

Dr. Mughees Shaukat is a globally recognized Islamic Financial Strategist, Investment & Fund Manager, and MIT-certified Fintech Specialist. He serves on the Investment Board of IVFRT (Tatarstan) and as Executive Advisor to IIRA (Bahrain). With extensive experience across G2G and G2B levels, Dr. Shaukat has facilitated billions in funding across Islamic finance, AI, ESG, and space commerce.

Ashar Nazim is a 30-year Islamic banking veteran and the Founder of Aion Group, a Saudi-headquartered digital infrastructure company leveraging AI and machine learning to mobilize capital in real time. Throughout his career, Ashar has shaped national Islamic banking regulations for Bahrain and Oman, advised GCC central banks, and launched over half a dozen regional Islamic and digital banks including two in the UAE. A serial FinTech innovator, he also built Spire, the first open banking platform licensed across both the GCC and Europe, taking it through to acquisition. Today, he focuses on closing the gap between traditional banking frameworks and the needs of SMEs and next-generation banking customers.

Nurym Ayazbayev is a senior development finance executive leading the strategic expansion of Islamic finance across Central Asia and the broader Eurasian region. As Executive Director for Islamic Finance at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), he oversees institutional lending, standard-setting partnerships, and the establishment of Shariah-compliant financial frameworks across member states. Working closely with international bodies such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), Nurym is instrumental in building cross-border capital channels, sovereign collaboration, and innovative financial structures to drive sustainable regional growth.

Nargiz Shiraliyeva is the Head of the Financial Sector Development and Innovations Division at the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In her role, she leads strategic initiatives aimed at modernizing the national financial landscape, driving digital transformation, and fostering financial sector innovation. Nargiz plays a key role in advancing regulatory frameworks, sandbox environments, and emerging fintech capabilities, shaping a forward-looking, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystem for Azerbaijan.

Mustafa Adil is the Head of Islamic Finance at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), leading the firm's global strategy, market engagement, and bespoke knowledge solutions. He collaborates with government entities, multilateral organizations, and global financial institutions to support industry growth through research, consulting, and content solutions. Prior to LSEG, Mustafa was a leading consultant in Ernst & Young’s Islamic Financial Services practice, advising prominent institutions across the GCC and globally. He is a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) and holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Imperial College London.

Dr. Omar Shaikh is a globally recognized pioneer in ethical, responsible, and Islamic finance. As Managing Director of GEFI and Board Member of the UK Islamic Finance Council (UKIFC), he has spent decades advising governments, regulators, and top-tier financial institutions on sustainable ecosystem building. A Chartered Accountant and former Head of Islamic Finance at EY London, Omar has spearheaded groundbreaking global initiatives, including the UNDP-backed SDG Financial Products platform and the UK Government/IsDB UN SDGs Taskforce. Holding a PhD from the University of Glasgow and an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University, he sits at the forefront of driving faith-aligned impact, ESG integration, and sustainable finance innovation worldwide.

Casiana Dușa is a multi-jurisdictional legal expert, AAOIFI Certified Professional in Shariah Standards (CPSS), and doctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham. With over 14 years of international legal experience across Europe and the GCC, she specializes in Islamic finance, Shariah-compliant structuring, cross-border real estate, and corporate transactions. As Founder and President of the Romanian Arab Investments House (RAIH) and Exclusive Correspondent for Islamic Finance News (IFN) in Romania, Casiana bridges Middle Eastern capital with European markets, providing key expertise on the enforcement of Islamic finance contracts within European legal frameworks.

Mohammed Saifullah Khan is a distinguished Islamic finance expert and Founder & CEO of Ebdaa Islamic Finance Consultancy. Over more than two decades, he has advised financial institutions, regulators and governments across multiple jurisdictions, leading landmark mandates spanning Sukuk, Islamic funds, Islamic banking products, fintech and Shariah governance. He previously served as CEO of Dar Al Sharia, a subsidiary of Dubai Islamic Bank, where he led its global advisory practice across Islamic finance structuring, product development and institutional Shariah compliance. Mohammed holds advanced qualifications in law and Islamic finance, alongside a certificate in Digital Transformation from MIT, and is an AAOIFI Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor. An accomplished international speaker and industry thought leader, he is recognised for combining Shariah integrity, commercial insight and technology to develop innovative solutions and shape the next generation of Islamic finance.

Dr. Farrukh Habib is a Shariah scholar and Islamic fintech expert with 14+ years of global experience spanning Islamic law, finance, and emerging tech like AI, blockchain, and digital assets. CEO of Azka Advisors (UK) and Partner of Alif Technologies (Dubai), he led Shariah structuring of innovative digital assets and stablecoin products. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Finance and an MSc in Banking from Queen Mary University of London.

Leads product and market development initiatives, further expanding the diversification of asset classes and membership. Eric has worked in derivatives and securities for more than 25 years, across the Netherlands and the UAE. Previously, he held commercial and regulatory leadership roles in the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) Executive Committee and its Markets Division, was a member of the IOSCO Committee for Secondary Markets and traded equity and derivatives as a market maker for Amsterdam Option Traders (now Saxo Bank). He is an alumni of the Oxford Princeton Programme and was educated at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.

Naveen Raza leads Net Zero Transition within HSBC’s MENAT Sustainability Centre of Excellence, driving the execution of the bank's sustainable finance, financed emissions, and transition strategies across the region. With over 18 years of international banking experience spanning the UK and UAE, her career encompasses Islamic Banking with HSBC Amanah, Wealth Management, and Strategic Planning. Previously serving as HSBC’s Head of Sustainability & Financial Inclusion for EMEA, Naveen sits at the intersection of sustainable finance execution, net-zero strategy, and regional ESG transformation.

Umer began his career at EY, later holding executive roles at HSBC and Daiwa Investment Management. He is Chief Risk Officer and Global Head of Compliance & Shariah at Wahed, sits on the UK Islamic Finance Council board, advises the Islamic Finance Advisory, and co-founded the National Waqf. He also serves as an advisor to several innovative Islamic fintech startups. Umer is also a Trustee for the prestigious Cambridge Muslim College.

Bashar Al Natoor is Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, where he oversees the agency's global Islamic finance activities. With more than two decades of industry experience, he has played a central role in developing Fitch's sukuk criteria and rating methodologies.