Our Speakers

Dr. Ghiath Shabsigh is the Secretary-General of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), a prominent international standard-setting body of regulatory and supervisory authorities with interest in ensuring the soundness and stability of the Islamic financial services industry – defined broadly to include banking, capital market and insurance.

Dr. Shabsigh is an economist with broad experience in financial sector issues. Prior to his appointment as the Secretary General of the IFSB, he served as Assistant Director at the IMF’s Monetary and Capital Markets Department where he had broad responsibilities covering IMF’s work on central banking and fintech. Prior responsibilities at the IMF included working on economic reform programs, financial sector development, and financial stability assessments, in a wide range of countries from low-income to advanced economies. His previous work experience includes working as a financial analyst and university lecturer.

He led the IMF’s work on Islamic Banking for the past 25 years helping to build international institutions, developing policies and standards for the sector, and providing technical assistance on Islamic banking regulatory frameworks, central banking operations, and sukuk markets for large number of IMF member countries.

Dr. Shabsigh holds a Ph.D. degree in Monetary and International Economics, a M.A. in Economic Development, a B.Sc. in Economics and Business, and several professional qualifications in banking and securities market operations.

Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour is the 10th Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia. He was appointed for a five-year term effective 1 July 2023. In his role as Governor,
Rasheed also serves as the chair of the Bank’s Board of Directors, Monetary Policy Committee and Financial Stability Executive Committee.

Rasheed joined the Bank in 1988 and has helmed various positions across the breadth of the Bank’s primary functions. These include monetary policy and economics, international reserves management and financial markets, financial sector development, and banking regulations. In 2016, he assumed the role of Deputy Governor.

Rasheed has also played a leading role in driving the Bank’s advocacy efforts on economic affairs, including in the areas of social protection and labour market reforms. This includes to support and advise the Government on issues relating to the management of the pandemic. He also played key roles in the development and implementation of the Financial Sector Masterplan and Financial Sector Blueprints.

At the international level, Rasheed has served and been a member of various international platforms, such as the Islamic Financial Services Board and Bank for International Settlements. He has also championed various efforts to strengthen regional financial integration and cooperation, such as the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework. Previously, he also served as the Alternate Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Voting Group Office of the International Monetary Fund.

Rasheed attended St. John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur, prior to obtaining his Bachelor of Economics from Universiti Malaya. Rasheed also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi became Executive Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia in June 2024. He chairs the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, and leads the development of the Capital Market Masterplan 4 (2026–2030).

He spent over 30 years with PwC and served as Chairman of PwC Malaysia for 11 years until 2023. He led PwC’s Global Islamic Finance Team (2007–2012), served as Malaysia’s Financial Services Leader and joint Head of Audit, and advanced ESG and Shariah Investing initiatives.

Dato’ Faiz advised the Government on Accrual Accounting, financial restructurings and investigations, as well as being Administrator for several entities.

A Fellow of ICAEW and member of MIA, he also served as President of MIA, Chairman of MASB and President of KLBC. He studied law at Durham University, joined the English Bar and holds Honorary Doctorates of Laws from Nottingham and Durham.

Born in Jakarta on August 6, 1970, he earned a Diploma in Accounting from STAN (1992), a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance from Prasetiya Mulya Business School (2004), and a Master of Management (Islamic Finance) from Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) in 2016.

He holds professional certifications as an Investment Manager Representative (WMI), Securities Broker Representative (WPPE), and Qualified Risk Governance Professional (QRGP). He has also participated in various international executive programs at the London Business School, IMF Singapore, and the Bank Indonesia Executive Leadership School.

With over 30 years of experience in the financial sector and state financial institutions, he has worked at the Ministry of Finance, PT Bahana Pembinaan Usaha Indonesia, and held several strategic positions at the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), including Director of Treasury Group and Head of Investment Division.

He played a key role in the restructuring of Jiwasraya and the establishment of IFG Life as Director of Finance and Investment. Since December 2023, based on a Presidential Decree, he has served as a Member of the LPS Supervisory Board for the 2023–2028 term.

In 2025, Farid Azhar Nasution was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of LPS for the 2025–2030 term.

Mr. Saleem Ullah was appointed as the Deputy Governor of SBP by the Federal Government on August 11, 2023 for a period of 5 years. He assumed his responsibilities on the same day.

In this role, he is responsible for managing five Groups i.e. Digital Financial Services Group, Financial Inclusion Group, Information Technology Group, Human Resources & Services Group and Finance & Risk Management Group. Mr. Saleem Ullah is a career Central Banker with over 28 years’ experience at various senior positions at SBP, including Executive Director Financial Resource Management. He has extensive experience in Agricultural Credit, Development Finance, Islamic Banking, Finance, Microfinance, and Strategic Management. Before assuming the charge of Deputy Governor, he was Managing Director, Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC).

He is a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University where he completed his Masters in Public Policy. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accounts of Pakistan, an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers of Pakistan and an MBA from the Institute of Management Sciences B Z University, Multan.

Mr Ramsamy Chinniah was appointed Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mauritius with effect from the 29th of September 2025 for a three-year term.

He was appointed as Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission as from the 13th of November 2025.

Mr Ramsamy Chinniah has devoted more than 40 years of his career to the Bank of Mauritius, of which 7 years spent in the Research Department and 32 years in the Supervision Department.

Prior to his appointment as Second Deputy Governor, Mr Chinniah was Director of Supervision at the Bank of Mauritius. Throughout his extensive tenure in the Supervision Department, he played a key role in shaping and advancing the legal, regulatory, and supervisory frameworks that underpin the Mauritian banking sector. He actively contributed to the elaboration of key banking policies which have helped strengthen the country’s banking system in the face of major financial challenges, including the global financial crisis of 2007 and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Chinniah was instrumental in the formulation of guidelines aligned with best international practices and assessed their impact on the banking industry. He was instrumental in the implementation of a prudential supervision framework focused on independent, forward-looking, and risk-based oversight of the banking sector. He is also credited with the formulation of AML/CFT rules and directives and with the design of methods for on-site examination of licensees of the Bank of Mauritius.

He has been extensively involved in programmes and projects run by international organisations, amongst which the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, rating agencies, regulatory entities and multilateral institutions.

From September 2024, and until his appointment as Second Deputy Governor, Mr Chinniah was the Chairman of the Community of African Banking Supervisors, a working Group set up under the aegis of the Association of African Central Banks.

From 2006 to 2008, he was the Chairman of the Southern African Development Community Sub-committee of Banking Supervisors. He was equally a member of the Mauritius Steering Committee of Accounting and Auditing services.

Mr Chinniah holds a Master of Science in Financial Economics from the University of Mauritius (2009), is an Admitted Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK, 1999) and successfully completed the Association’s final examinations in 1991.

Career & Experience: As Deputy Governor, Sauda supervises the financial sector to ensure stability of the country’s financial system, oversees the nation’s payment system and fosters financial inclusion. She
previously served as Commissioner for External Finance and Assistant Commissioner Debt Policy in the Ministry of Finance; Senior Financial Analyst and Advisor Fiscal Affairs (Bank of Tanzania); Research Assistant (Vertex Financial Services); and Accountant Intern at Nordant Management Consultants (M) Ltd Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

At the Ministry of Finance, Sauda supervised key investment portfolios and fostered development cooperation with various bilateral development partners and international financial institutions including the World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank and Global Fund. In addition, coordinated loans syndication and structured facility for major infrastructure projects in the country.

Sauda is a Chairperson of the National Multi-Disciplinary Committee on Anti-Money Laundering; a Member of the National Advisory Committee on Generation Equality Forum to promote Economic Justice and Rights in Tanzania and monitor the implementation of national commitments; A chairperson of Female CEOs’ Round Table for accelerating closing the gender gap in banking sector in Tanzania. a former member of Global Standards and Policy Committee (GSPC) of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI); and A Member of Tanzania National
Business Council (TNBC) – Finance Working Group.

Qualifications: Sauda has a Master of Science in Finance with Distinction from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom. She also holds a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Born in Bogor on May 21, 1961, Ogi Prastom iyono obtained bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Industrial Technology from the Bogor Agricultural Institute in 1984 and Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Da me, United States of America, in 1994.

He previously served a s Strategic Service Director at PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (2018-2021) and Deputy President Commissioner at PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (202 0-2022).
Ogi started his career at the Bank Export Import Indonesia or Exim Bank in 1986. There, he served as a loan officer in the Plantation Credit Division. His last position at the Exim Bank was Head of Research and Development Division.

In 1999 he joined Bank Mandiri and held various positions before serving on the Board of Directors, namely Head of the Compliance Division (1999-2001), Deputy Chairman – IPO Working Team (2001-2003), Managing Director Bank Syariah Mandiri (2003-2005), Group Head Compliance (2005-2006), and Group Head Internal Audit (2006-2008).

And afterward, he was appointed as Director of Compliance & Human Capital of Bank Mandiri (2008-2014), Risk Management & Compliance (2014-2015), Director of Technology & Operations (2015-2016), and Director of Operations (2016-2018).

Mr. Zeeshan Rehman Khattak joined the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as Commissioner in November 2024. He has over two decades of local and international experience in Real Estate Investment & Management, Regulatory Affairs, Wealth Management, and Development of Export-led Technology Infrastructure.

Mr. Khattak brings rich experience in capital markets, regulatory oversight and assets’ management. In his previous leading roles, he had managed large portfolios while focusing on strategic planning, risk management, and delivering innovative solutions for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients.

Mr. Khattak’s most recent association was with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) as Chief Commercial Officer and additionally as Chief Executive Officer designate. At PSEB, Mr. Khattak played a pivotal role in advancing the IT industry’s growth, fostering trade partnerships, shaping national-level policies and country’s representation at global forums for trade agreements. His vision is to help creating a globally competitive, attractive and resilient capital market in the country enabled by cutting-edge technologies for sustainable economic development.

Mr. Khattak has strong academic background in Business, Economics.

Dr. Waleed Al-Qasrawi began his role as Assistant Director General of the Jordan Deposit Insurance Corporation (JODIC) in April 2025. He has an extensive experience in the banking sector, gained through his work at the Central Bank of Jordan. He held several positions, starting in 1990 in the Banking Supervision Department, then moving in 2013 to the Financial Stability Department, where he contributed to its establishment. At the end of 2016, he was tasked with founding the Financial Consumer Protection Department, applying international best practices to position it as one of the leading departments in the Arab region. In 2023, he transferred to the Money Exchange Supervision Department.

During his tenure at the Central Bank, he chaired several committees, most notably the head of Technical Committee of The King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Government Performance and Transparency, where the Central Bank won first place among the top ministries and institutions participating in the award. He also chaired the Technical Committee for Crisis Management, which developed the Crisis Management Guide, praised by international entities such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Additionally, he contributed to preparing several key regulations and projects at the Central Bank, including the Basel III instructions.

His appointment as Assistant Director General comes as part of leveraging his broad expertise to assist in implementing the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) recommendations, establishing the regulatory framework and resolution procedures for banks, as well as establishing a supervisory activity within the Corporation.

He holds a PhD in Banking from Loughborough University (2009), a Master’s degree in Banking from Bangor University (1999), and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Yarmouk University (1986).

Madelena Mohamed was appointed as Assistant Governor on 1 February 2025. As Assistant Governor, Madelena oversee the Strategy and Sustainability sector, which includes Governor’s Office, Legal Department, Strategic Communications Department and the Sustainability Unit.

Madelena began her career with BNM in 1993 where she first served in the Economics Department. Over the span of her 32 years of service, she has taken on several leadership positions including the Director of Islamic Finance Department, Financial Surveillance Department, Prudential Financial Policy Department and the Sustainability Unit.

She holds a degree in Economics, majoring in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Sharifatul Hanizah is the Executive Director of Islamic Capital Market Development (ICMD) of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).

She leads the team that spearheads the developmental agenda and operational aspects of Malaysia’s Islamic capital market (ICM). Their efforts encompass a range of initiatives aimed at broadening and deepening ICM products and services, with the ultimate goal of fortifying Malaysia’s position as the global leader in Islamic finance.

Sharifatul Hanizah has an extensive and diverse experience of over 30 years in the fields of investment analysis, portfolio management, equity trading and unit trust while serving in various organisations such as Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), RHB Investment Management Sdn Bhd and Muamalat Invest. During her tenure in PNB and RHB, Sharifatul Hanizah’s board experience was vast, spanning consumer goods, technology and manufacturing companies. She served on the boards of exchange-listed and private companies as a Nominee Director for PNB and RHB.

Prior to joining the SC in August 2019, Sharifatul Hanizah was the Chief Executive Officer of SIDC, the learning and development arm of the SC. She is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (F Fin), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), an Islamic Financial Planner (IFP), a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) and a member of the Malaysia International Islamic Finance Centre (MIFC) Leadership Council.

Azamat Tuyleubay is a senior executive with over 15 years of experience in corporate banking and project finance, including more than 8 years at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB).

In his current role as Senior Managing Director, Azamat is responsible for overseeing a diversified corporate and project finance portfolio exceeding USD 3 billion, covering key sectors such as transport, infrastructure, energy, industry, natural resources, and agriculture across Central Asia.

Azamat has extensive expertise in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), project and structured finance, syndicated lending, capital markets instruments, and green and sustainable finance, with a strong focus on development impact and long-term economic growth in emerging markets.

He is a graduate of the Stanford University Leadership Program, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Arizona State University, and is a Certified Public-Private Partnerships Professional (CP3P).

Omar is the Managing Director of the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) and Board Member of the UK Islamic Finance Council (UKIFC)

A Chartered Accountant by profession, he specialises in ethical/responsible finance, Islamic finance, and private equity. He has extensive experience in financial services and has advised multiple governments and regulators on ecosystem building as a leading advocate for sustainable and Islamic finance. His background includes working with EY London, where he qualified as a CA and was the former Head of Islamic finance.

Through his GEFI work, Omar has established a number of initiatives, including the Path to COP, the SDG Financial Products platform with UNDP, which promotes innovative financing structures for the SDGs, the Global Islamic Finance and UN SDGs Taskforce launched with the UK Government and IsDB, and the award-winning interfaith Edinburgh Finance Declaration—the world’s first shared values approach to finance between Islamic finance and the Church. He also served on the Board of the University of Oxford Faith-Aligned Impact Finance Project

Omar received a BAcc and a PhD from the University of Glasgow along with an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University conferred for his work in developing ethical finance. Beyond finance, he is actively involved with Colourful Heritage which works with Glasgow Museums to preserve and celebrate South Asian heritage in Scotland, The King’s Trust Scotland and Olivewood Primary School.

Mahmoud Mohieldin is a global economist and the UN Special Envoy on Financing Sustainable Development, with over 30 years of experience in international finance and development. He co-leads the UN Secretary General expert group on debt solutions.

Formerly Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at the World Bank Group, he was Egypt’s first Minister of Investment. He also served as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27. He chairs and serves at key international and regional advisory boards, co-chairs the WEF Global Future Council on the Business of Economic Growth.

He is a Professor of Economics and Finance, Cairo University, a Visiting Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University, a Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Science and Nonresident Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution.

Mr Abdullah Haron is the Deputy Secretary–General of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), a prominent international standard-setting body of regulatory and supervisory authorities withinterest in ensuring the soundness and stability of the Islamic financial services industry – defined broadly to include banking, capital market and insurance.

A distinguished financial expert, Abdullah has over three decades of experience in financial regulation, risk management, and Islamic finance, with a career spanning the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Central Bank of the UAE, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the IFSB.

As a Senior Financial Sector Expert at the IMF, Abdullah managed technical assistance initiatives and oversaw the implementation of Financial Sector Stability Reviews (FSSR) follow–up for selected member countries. He participated in the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), Article IV surveillance, and played a key role in shaping the IMF’s approach to Islamic banking activities.

Prior to the IMF, he was a Reviewer in the Banking Supervision Department at the Central Bank of the UAE, where he helped establish the Higher Sharī’ah Authority and integrate Islamic finance into the national prudential framework.

From 2003 to 2013, he was the Assistant Secretary-General of the IFSB, where he played a key role in developing the organisation’s pioneering regulatory standards and leading global initiatives in Islamic finance regulation.

His career began at BNM in 1991, followed by leadership roles in market risk management at Maybank, Standard Chartered Malaysia, and the Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank in Malaysia. Heholds an MBA from Ohio University and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science (Actuarial Science) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Saskia de Vries is the Global Practice Manager for Financial Stability and Integrity at the World Bank. She leads the global team on financial stability and integrity, at a time of growing financial vulnerabilities. The team supports EMDE financial sector authorities around the world in implementing global regulatory and supervisory standards, and cutting-edge best practices: through diagnostics, technical assistance and lending, and research and knowledge. In this role, Saskia is responsible for the Financial Sector Assessment Program at the World Bank. Saskia was previously head of International Financial Architecture and Financial Stability at the Dutch Central Bank and co-chair of the NGFS Task Force on Nature-related Risks. She is also Honorary Research Associate at the Sustainable Finance Group at University of Oxford. Saskia holds a PhD in financial economics.

Mr. Mohamed Sharaf is the Treasurer of Islamic Development bank, overseeing the bank’s overall treasury investments and capital market funding activities of the bank. Mohamed has more than 22 years of professional experience working across global capital markets. Prior to joining IsDB, Mohamed was the Head of the structured finance for Credit Agricole Bank covering Egypt. Prior to that, Mohamed spent 12 years occupying several managerial roles with Arab African International Bank where his last stint was Head of Capital Markets Risk and ALCO Member.

Mr. Sharaf holds MBA from the École Supérieure Libre des Sciences Commerciales Appliquées in France and MSc Finance from Bradford School of Management – University of Bradford.

Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid is the Chief Executive Officer of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM), a global Islamic finance institution focused on developing Shari’ah-compliant liquidity management solutions. He took on the CEO role on 1 January 2024, appointed by the IILM Governing Board for a three-year term.

Mr. Safri brings almost 30 years of experience in banking and finance, with over 20 years of leadership in Islamic banking and capital markets. Before joining IILM, he spent 13 years at CIMB Bank, serving in senior roles including Deputy CEO of CIMB Islamic and Senior Managing Director in the Public Sector Group. He also has a strong credit background from roles such as Group Credit Committee member at CIMB and Senior Analyst at the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the International Islamic University Malaysia, an MBA in Globalisation from Maastricht School in the Netherlands, and is a Chartered Accountant with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). Mr. Safri is recognized as a pioneer in Islamic capital markets and frequently speaks at international finance conferences

Aminath Amany Ahmed serves as the Assistant Secretary General for Standard Development and Research at the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB). In her role, she oversees the development of IFSB standards and guidance, financial stability monitoring, the prudential and structural Islamic financial indicators (PSIFIs) database project, and the IFSB’s research programme.

Mr. Yahya Rehman is an Associate Manager at the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), part of the Islamic Development Bank Group, where he works in the Knowledge Leaders/Islamic Finance area supporting advisory, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing activities. He has been involved in coordinating and guiding high-level Islamic finance executive programs and engaging in policy discussions and events on Islamic finance and economic development.

Appointed on 1 October 2025, Mr Mohamad Yasin is the Maybank Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Islamic Banking and CEO of Maybank Islamic Berhad, and responsible for leading the Maybank Group’s Islamic banking franchise and driving its ambition to be a global leader in Islamic finance. He oversees strategy, product development, and Shariah governance, while advancing Maybank’s leadership in Islamic wealth management and championing innovative digital solutions to strengthen the overall Maybank Group’s competitive edge.

He brings with him over 28 years of experience in banking and finance including 12 years as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr Mohamad Yasin has held several key leadership positions within Maybank Group, including CFO, Chief Operating Officer and CEO– International of Maybank Investment Banking Group. Most recently, he served as Maybank Group Chief Audit Executive, where he spearheaded the development and implementation of the Maybank Group Audit Strategic Plan 2023–2025, strengthening the Group Audit function through the adoption of global best practices.

Hamid Joda is a seasoned banker with over 20 years banking experience covering Treasury, Business Development, Consumer/Retail Banking, Branch Banking and the Public Sector.

He began his career at Niger Insurance Plc in 1999 before moving to City Express Bank Ltd, Lagos the same year where he held the position of Senior Supervisor. He also worked at Continental Trust Bank Ltd, Kano as a Senior Analyst and at the defunct Oceanic Bank International Nigeria Ltd. He was the pioneer Branch Manager of Fidelity Bank Plc, Kano from where he rose to the position of Area Manager in charge of the North East.

His extensive experience led him to First Inland Bank (Finbank Plc) Abuja as Group Head Retail Banking (North) where he later rose to become the Divisional Head, Retail Banking of the Bank. Hamid Joda was the Divisional Head, Public Sector, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ltd. He holds a BSc in Business Administration (Banking & Finance) from the University of Maiduguri and an MBA from Bayero University, Kano. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Banking of Nigeria (CIBN).

Mr. Joda is the Founder of TAJBank Ltd. He led the team to realize the vision of setting-up the second non-interest Bank in Nigeria. He is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Bank.

Mr. Khalid Al Kayed is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank Nizwa — Oman’s first and largest dedicated Islamic bank. He has been with the institution since its founding in 2012, initially serving as Chief Financial Officer before being confirmed as CEO in 2017. Under his leadership, Bank Nizwa has grown from a startup into the largest fully-fledged Islamic bank in the Sultanate, with a balance sheet that has expanded from RO 150 million at inception to over RO 1.5 billion.

A financial industry veteran with over 27 years of experience, Mr. Al Kayed previously held senior positions at Safwa Islamic Bank — a subsidiary of Dubai Islamic Bank — and Standard Chartered Bank Jordan. He holds a Master’s in International Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool and is an alumnus of Columbia Business School. His leadership at Bank Nizwa has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Global Islamic Finance CEO of the Year in 2020.

Haruna Musa Ph.D was appointed Managing Director/CEO of Jaiz Bank Plc on the 21st of November 2023. He is a seasoned banker with over 28 years of cognate experience in banking across Nigeria and Africa. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Bayero University, Kano, and Cranfield University, United Kingdom. He earned his Ph.D in Islamic Banking and Finance at the Universiti Utara in Malaysia.

At the Cranfield University, Haruna obtained an MSc. in Finance and Management (2008 – 2009). He received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano (1997 – 1998); a Post Graduate Diploma in Management earlier from the same University (1994 – 1995), while he holds a Bachelor of Agriculture from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1987 – 1991).

Haruna undertook extensive executive-level courses including Advanced Management Program from Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, USA (2023); Making Corporate Boards More Effective – Harvard Business School, Harvard University, USA (2015); Positive Leadership Program – Michigan Ross Executive Education, USA (2014); General Management Program – Cranfield University, UK (2012). He is also an honourary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Until his appointment as the substantive MD/CEO of Jaiz Bank Plc, he served as Executive Director with GT Bank for eight years, and garnered 22 years out of his 27 years’ wealth of banking experience working for Guaranty Trust Bank Holding Company (GTCO) from March 2001– October 2023.

He commenced his banking profession as Banking Officer at United Bank for Africa Plc from June 1997 – December 1998 and served as a Senior Banking Officer at the FSB International Bank Plc between December 1998 and March 2001. Earlier, he worked at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Abuja, as Agricultural officer II from January 1993 – June 1997.

In October 2015, Haruna assumed the role of Executive Director and Head, Northeast & Public Sector, Abuja Divisions on the Board of GT Bank, a testament to his professionalism and exemplary competence.

He was also appointed as a Non- Executive Director with GT Bank (Cote D’Ivoire Ltd) and Chairman of the Board Audit Committee from March 2015 to October 2023, where he contributed to the turn-around of the Bank from a loss position to consistent profitability.

Jaiz Bank’s new MD/CEO’s robust achievements include several commendation letters for selflessness and meritorious service from his previous and current employers.

Kabir Sabo Katata is a quantitative energy strategist and computational finance expert with strong power trading and risk management experience. He has over twenty-eight years’ experience in the design and management of technically innovative systems in multiple industries including telecommunications, IT, energy (petroleum & power), finance and government. He is a specialist in sophisticated financial optimization, the application of modern statistical techniques and mathematics to energy, deposit insurance and banking sectors.

Kabir consulted with global organisations in the areas of financial and energy risk management and financial engineering. He also developed mobile phone demand and forecast analysis tools for Vodafone Partnership (Unipart Technology Logistics), UK. Prior to that he was a project manager with Image Technologies and a programmer, then systems analyst with Nigeria Mobile Telecomms Ltd.

Dr Katata joined the service of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation in 2012 as an Assistant Director in the Research, Policy and International Relations Department and rose to the pinnacle of his career as Director in January 2022. He had the privilege to lead and conduct independent, large-scale research projects in the Corporation. Kabir designed and developed several world-class risk forecasting, risk management and financial stability models to strengthen the effective discharge of the Corporation’s mandate. He served as NDIC representative on various interagency and international groups. He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the NDIC Quarterly, the Corporation’s scholarly Journal.

Dr Katata is the author of several research papers on financial portfolio optimization, risk management and artificial intelligence. He has presented academic and professional papers on financial risk management and deposit insurance at conferences in Nigeria and worldwide.

Kabir holds a B.Sc. Upper Second Class in Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics from University of Abuja, Nigeria; M.Sc. with Distinction in Computer and Network Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University, UK; M.Sc. and Postgraduate Diploma in Finance from Imperial College Business School, Imperial College, London. He has a PhD in Financial Engineering and Management Science from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK. His thesis was titled:” Risk Management, Portfolio Optimization and Trading in Energy & Financial Markets”.

He was appointed Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance on Friday 25th July 2025 following his nomination by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent confirmation by the Senate.

Mohamed Damak is a Managing Director and the Sector Lead for Financial Institutions in the Emerging EMEA region. Mohamed is also the Global Head of Islamic Finance at S&P Global Rating (SPGR). In this capacity Mohamed leads SPGR’s cross-practice analytical thought leadership initiatives and credit rating activities in the Islamic Finance sector globally. In addition to these responsibilities, Mohamed co-heads the Emerging Market Global Industry Focused Team and is a member of several senior forums and research labs including the Digitalization of the Markets Research Lab. Mohamed’s research interests include emerging markets financial institutions, the digitalization of the financial services industry (including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, tokenization, and digital bonds) and Islamic finance. Mohamed is a regular speaker at industry events and conferences.

Prior to joining SPGR, Mohamed worked as a Principal Credit Risk Officer for the African Development Bank in Tunis. From 2006 to 2010, Mohamed worked for SPGR covering conventional and Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Mohamed holds a PhD in Finance and Master in “Money, Banking and Finance” from University of Paris 2, Pantheon Assas and a Master’s degree in Financial Institutions Management from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Tunis.

Nitish Bhojnagarwala is an Associate Managing Director with Moody’s Financial Institutions Group. Based in Dubai, Nitish manages the team responsible for bank credit ratings in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), Turkiye, Iraq and Jordan. Nitish also manages Moody’s research and outreach activities in the Middle East including Islamic Finance.

Nitish joined Moody’s in 2011 and has led sukuk roundtables and conducted workshops on Banking and Islamic finance at various conferences in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Nitish has also authored several research pieces, with a focus on regional banking, credit issues and issuer-in- depths for conventional as well as Islamic banks.

Prior to joining Moody’s, Nitish spent five years at Tamweel in the Treasury function. He has also worked for KPMG in the UAE, where he covered financial institutions. Nitish holds an MBA from S P Jain Institute of Management & Research, with a major in Finance (Investment Banking).

Dr. Abdelilah Belatik, formerly the renowned Secretary-General of CIBAFI, now serves as Counsellor and Chief Strategic, Transformation and Investment at the Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development — known as AAAID. This Pan-Arab organisation, headquartered in Riyadh, was established to promote agricultural investment and food security across the Arab world, and has increasingly sought to integrate Islamic finance instruments into its development mandate.

Dr. Belatik’s role at AAAID places him at the intersection of agricultural development, strategic investment, and the growing use of Shariah-compliant instruments to fund food security and rural development projects — a dimension of Islamic finance that is gaining significant traction on the global stage.

Saif Shawqi is the Director of Islamic finance at Fitch Ratings – one of the big three credit rating agencies. His 10+ years experience spans Islamic banks, credit rating agencies and sharia advisory firms.

Saif specializes in Islamic finance, sukuk, credit risk, and debt capital markets in the GCC, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkiye, and other Emerging Markets. He is a CFA charter holder, certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM), and TEDx speaker.

Saif’s research has been quoted by the IMF, World Bank, Bank of England, HSBC, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and many others. He also holds bachelor’s degree in banking & finance from the University of Bahrain, and CIMA Diploma in Islamic finance. He can be reached on +971504959536 and [email protected]. He is a Bahraini national based in Dubai

Dr. Zahid ur Rehman is serving as Director, Islamic Finance Policy Department at State Bank of Pakistan since November 2024. Previously he has served as Acting as well as Assistant Secretary General (Technical and Research) at the international standard setting body Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) in Malaysia and expert advisor on Islamic finance at Central Bank of Oman.

He is an accomplished Islamic finance expert, with a career spanning more than 26 years in financial sector regulation and supervision, standard setting and advisory in Islamic finance industry. He has a cross sectoral and multi-disciplinary expertise to build and implement strategy, lead and successfully manage teams and a diverse portfolio of projects spanning prudential standards, research, training programmes, publications, data repositories as well as conferences and seminars.

He is a member of AAOIFI Governance and Ethics Board since 2020 and has contributed as the member of working groups and committees of several global bodies, including Basel Committee’s Consultative Group (BCG), IMF, IFSB, International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and others.

He has completed “Leadership for Senior Executives” program at Harvard Business School as well as other management courses from Georgetown University, Cambridge University, MIT Sloan School of Management, ICLIF Leadership and Governance Centre and others.

Zahid is a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance at International Islamic University, Malaysia. He has also acquired Chartered Islamic Finance Professional qualification from INCEIF, Malaysia. He holds master’s
degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science as well as Statistics. He also holds PGD in Islamic banking and insurance from IIBI, London.

Mansour Alsaleh is currently the head of the Innovation Hub at the Saudi Central Bank. Prior to that Mansour was the director of the WEF Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Saudi Arabia (C4IR) and also lead the Blockchain Platform at the center. He also previously managed the Technical Leaders Program (TLP), the Joint Centers of Excellence Program (JCEP) at (KACST), and was an Associate Professor at KACST.

He received Masters and PhD degrees in Computer Science in addition to an executive MBA from Harvard Business School. Mansour has 20 years of professional IT work experience in (1) Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Big Data Analytics, Data Mining and Machine Learning; and (2) Internet, Network, and Data Security and Assurance.

Throughout these years, he developed management experience in technology and business innovation, participated in writing science and technology strategies and policies on the country level, and led the development of several technologies and techniques, some of which are currently used by big organizations in both government and private sectors including MoD and Saudi Electricity Company.

Mansour is currently actively engaged in managing big-data analytics and cyber-security projects and served as an expert for the Digital Economy Task Force of the G20 for the Trustworthy AI track and also participated in the Science 20 Engagement Group (S20).

Zeiad is Founder & CEO of Algbra, a financial technology company that is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the only Sharia compliant fintech to have achieved this. Algbra is a certified B Corp and was awarded “Best ESG Initiative in Payments” at the 2023 industry-leading Pay360 Awards. Algbra offers its full-stack proprietary technology internationally as a B2B Fintech as a Service (‘FaaS’) solution, helping financial institutions build digital banks from scratch. The UK operation is a live example of their enabling technology.

Prior to founding Algbra, Zeiad was Co-Founder and Managing Partner of an FCA regulated global merchant banking and investment firm, where he successfully helped grow the business to >$2.5bn of AUM across asset management, real estate and technology. Zeiad and his partners took the business to >25 territories, securing partnerships with leading corporates, family offices and financial institutions.

Zeiad began his career in the commodities division at Credit-Suisse in London. He holds an MSc. from the School of Oriental and African Studies (with Distinction) and a BA from King’s College London. Zeaid is also a member of the CFA Society of the UK and holds the Investment Management Certificate.

In a voluntary capacity, Zeiad has served as Chairman of the Leadership Committee at Jussoor-Alfanar, the youth outreach initiative of the first venture philanthropy organization focused on the Arab region. Zeiad is also a member of Young Presidents Organisation (YPO), London Chapter.

Umar Munshi is the founder and Managing Partner of https://hasan.vc. HASAN.VC evolved from the Halal Super Angels Network and is today one of the most active global Venture Capital funds targeting Camel startups.

HASAN.VC runs paradigm-shifting virtual accelerator and venture studio programs for startup founders. We invest in an average of 2 startups every month. Positioned for the future, HASAN.VC is a founder-focused VC powered by the people.

Umar is also the co-founder of Ethis (https://Ethis.co), a pioneering fintech-for-Islamic-finance Venture builder. Ethis, focusing on impact investments, has launched multiple platforms over the past decade to invest in SMEs, startups, and real estate in Asia and the GCC region, promoting halal and sustainable finance. Ethis’ latest venture is Turkiye’s first capital market (debt) fintech platform for SMEs.

Umar is a leader and driving force in the Islamic economy ecosystem. He is a regular trainer, speaker and presenter at universities, training institutes and industry events and holds roles in industry development committees and initiatives.Umar believes that the convergence of tech and the perfect wisdom of Islamic economics unlock an unprecedented opportunity to create real solutions for the betterment of humanity…

Here, and hereafter.

Husain joined DDCAP in May 2022 and is GCC Regional Director and a Director of DDCAP (DIFC) Limited.

Husain is a vastly experienced banker who has been working within the Islamic financial marketplace for the past 30 years for various highly regarded regional and international financial institutions. Most recently, he held senior executive positions within MFAI (Jersey) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of DMI Group. This followed his tenure as Chief Operating Officer of CMA licensed investment company, Gulf Investors Asset Management Company (“GIAMCO”).

Having started his career in banking in Bahrain, Husain was appointed Regional Director, Head of GCC & Islamic Banking, at Société Générale where he was based in Dubai. Prior to returning to Bahrain as the Chief Executive Officer of Investment Dar Bank, Husain was the General Manager of ADNIF, the Islamic subsidiary of National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

Mr. Mohamed Mahraoui has an extensive experience in the deposit insurance (both conventional and Islamic), in the banking supervision as well as in the banking resolution.

Mr. Mahraoui spent over 22 years at the Central Bank of Morocco (Bank Al-Maghrib) as bank supervisor where he held various responsibilities in off and on-site supervision, systemic risks and financial stability, Islamic finance, deposit insurance, bank resolution, and macro-prudential surveillance.

In July 2015, he was appointed as the head of studies, intervention, and banking resolution at the Moroccan Deposit Insurance Corporation (Société Marocaine de Gestion des Fonds de Garantie des Dépôts Bancaires). This corporation was established by Bank Al-Maghrib and the banking industry to manage the conventional and Islamic Deposit Insurance Funds.

Currently, he is the chair of Islamic Deposit Insurance Technical Committee of IADI and member of other Technical Committees of IADI. He is also the chair of the MENA regional committee of IADI.

Mr. Mahraoui was member of the IFSB Working Group to revise the IFSB standard on key elements in the supervisory review process of institutions offering Islamic financial services. He has also been active in working with IFSB and IADI Joint Working Group and participating in the development of the Core Principles of effective Islamic deposit insurance systems, issued jointly by IADI and IFSB.

He has worked with the IMF and the World Bank as well as with two German companies and the KfW to provide technical assistance to some Arabic and Frenchspeaking jurisdictions in the banking supervision and in the deposit insurance. He has delivered many presentations on banking supervision and resolution, Islamic finance, macro-prudential surveillance, stress testing exercises and deposit Insurance.

Mr. Mahraoui holds degrees in Finance and Economics from the University of Hassan II in Casablanca, the Institut Supérieur de Commerce et d’Administration des Entreprises (ISCAE) in Casablanca, the Cardiff University, United Kingdom (off campus) and the General Counsel of Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions in Manama, Bahrain.

Arshadur Rahman is a Senior Manager in the Bank of England’s Data and Statistics Division, and the Bank’s specialist in Islamic finance.  He was a co-author of the Financial Services Authority’s 2007 regulatory paper on Islamic finance and has supervised UK Islamic banks.  He also led the design and implementation of the Bank’s Alternative Liquidity Facility (ALF), the first non-interest-based central bank deposit facility established by a western central bank.  Arshadur holds an MSc in Finance from London Business School, is currently undertaking doctoral research at King’s College London, and is a visiting fellow in Islamic finance at King’s Business School.

Zainab Al-Lawati is a qualified CPA and senior banking executive with over a decade of experience in corporate and Islamic banking. She currently serves as DGM & Head of Corporate Islamic Banking at Ahli Bank SAOG, where she leads large-corporate, mid-market, and SME portfolios, overseeing complex financings, structured transactions, and strategic growth initiatives. Beyond core banking, Zainab is actively involved in digital transformation initiatives, including corporate digital channels, payments, and data-driven decision-making. She also serves as a board member of the Ahli Bank Islamic Money Market Fund.

Dr. Ridzwan Bakar: A Leader in Islamic Social Finance and Waqf Development

Dr. Ridzwan Bakar is a distinguished figure in the field of Islamic finance and waqf (Islamic endowment), known for his leadership, academic contributions, and commitment to social impact. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia (Malaysia Awqaf Foundation) since October 2023, Dr. Ridzwan brings over two decades of experience in corporate finance and strategic management, alongside nearly 10 years in academia.

He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Finance) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), a Master’s in Financial Management from the University of Hull, UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Professionally, he is a Chartered Accountant (MIA Malaysia) and Fellow Certified Management Accountant (CMA Australia) with deep expertise in strategic corporate planning, performance management, investment, and business transformation.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ridzwan has been deeply involved in advancing the waqf ecosystem in Malaysia. He has served as a board member and advisor for multiple waqf and Islamic social finance institutions, including the Department of Waqf, Zakat and Hajj (JAWHAR), Yayasan Wakaf Malaysia and the Wakaf Centre under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP). His efforts have contributed to national policy development, including the Waqf Blueprint, tax incentive frameworks for waqf, establishment of Sarawak Waqaf Foundation and The First Waqf ETF listed in Bursa Malaysia.

An advocate for ethical financial systems, Dr. Ridzwan continues to champion sustainable development through Islamic finance. His combined experience in the corporate world, academia, and public policy makes him a key player in shaping Malaysia’s future in Islamic social finance. He is also a member of Advisory to the World Zakat & Waqaf Forum (WZWF).

Prof. Dr. Murniati Mukhlisin is a Professor of Islamic Accounting and formerly served as Rector of Tazkia University. She is the founder of Sakinah Finance and a leading practitioner and educator in Islamic financial planning, dedicated to advancing shariah-based Islamic personal and family finance, ethical wealth management, and financial resilience through education, consulting, and public lectures at national and international forums, reaching diverse audiences, including vulnerable communities and persons with disabilities.

Dr Mohammed R. Kroessin is a development economist with over 20 years’ experience of working with Islamic development and social financial institutions on strategies for sustainable development, climate finance and social impact investment. He has formerly worked for Chambers of Commerce and the Centre for Enterprise in the UK, was Asst. CEO of Muslim Aid and is now heading Islamic Relief’s Global Islamic Microfinance Unit where he leads a portfolio of 10 country financial inclusion programmes.

Dr Mohammed holds the Islamic Finance Qualification from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, a Masters in international political economy (Kent, UK), a Masters in development management (Westminster Business School, UK) and has completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham (UK) on Islamic development theory and practice. He was also a Research Associate at the University of Birmingham and a Visiting Research Fellow at Aston Business School and is currently a lecturer (guest faculty) in Islamic Microfinance at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany (www.fs.de/ceim).

As an international expert in Islamic microfinance Mohammed has worked in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, sits on the board of two microfinance institutions in the Balkans. He is also the founder of GEMicro (www.gemicro.org), an Islamic social finance advisory firm and has consulted for multi-laterals such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the United Nations Development Program.

Mehdi Zidani is a Senior Islamic Philanthropy Officer at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, based in Dubai. He has been with UNHCR for over 7 years and is leading the development and global expansion of UNHCR’s Islamic philanthropy initiatives, notably the Refugee Zakat Fund. Mehdi holds Master’s degrees in Management and Business from EDHEC Business School (France) and Maastricht University (Netherlands), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Law from Al Azhar University. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, his diverse experience spans Islamic finance consulting, media, fundraising, and education.