(MENAFN- BIBF Leading Excellence ) Manama, 15 September 2025: The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has been awarded the prestigious Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) as the “Best Islamic Finance Education Provider 2025”, in recognition of its pioneering role in developing Islamic finance education and training at both regional and international levels.
The award was presented to the BIBF by H.E. Mohammed Waheed Hassan, Former President of Maldives, during an official ceremony on 11th September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that was also attended by H.E. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and H.E. Ahmed Zahidi Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, as well as many other government officials and leaders from the Islamic banking and finance industry globally.
The GIFA Awards Committee praised the BIBF’s exceptional achievements in this field, selecting the institute after a thorough review of several distinguished nominees, based on the GIFA methodology, which assesses academic quality, innovation, and global impact in shaping the future of the Islamic financial industry.
Commenting on this recognition, Dr. Ahmed AlShaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the BIBF, stated: “This global recognition highlights the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position as a leading international hub for innovation and excellence in Islamic finance and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class education. This milestone is not only a tribute to the BIBF’s achievements but also a testament to decades of dedication to preparing highly qualified professionals who contribute to the national economy and strengthen Bahrain’s global standing in the Islamic finance industry.”
Dr. Rizwan Malik, Head of the BIBF’s Islamic Finance Centre, added: “This award is the result of the collective efforts of our team of experts and practitioners, reaffirming the BIBF’s role in developing qualified professionals capable of driving the growth of the global Islamic finance industry. We remain committed to delivering specialised programmes that blend academic excellence with practical application, equipping students and professionals with the knowledge and skills to foster innovation and advance this vital sector.”
This achievement reaffirms the BIBF’s distinguished position as a leading regional and global hub for specialised education and training in Islamic finance. The Institute remains committed to its mission of developing the next generation of professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of the global financial landscape, in line with the goals of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
Established in 2011, the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) are among the most prestigious international accolades in the Islamic finance industry. They aim to honour institutions and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the global Islamic financial sector, and are awarded annually to recognise excellence in innovation, education, governance, sustainability, and the promotion of financial inclusion in line with international best practices.

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