BIBF and LSEG Host Landmark Islamic Finance Dialogue 2025: "Markets in Motion"

(MENAFN- BIBF Leading Excellence ) Manama, 7th December 2025 - The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), hosted the Islamic Finance Dialogue 2025 at its headquarters in Bahrain Bay. The high-level event brought together more than 100 industry leaders, regulators, Islamic bankers, and capital markets professionals to explore the future direction of the global Islamic finance industry.
The dialogue featured three focused sessions led by regional and international experts.
Session 1 - “Global Pulse: Islamic Banking Trends & Industry Outlook” included Dr. Jarmo Kotilaine Economic Advisor at Tamkeen; Hammad Hassan MD & CEO at Bank ABC Islamic; Hamza Bawazir Secretary General at CIBAFI; and Mustafa Adil Head of Islamic Finance at LSEG as a moderator.
Session 2 - “Smart Treasury: Innovation, Liquidity, and Funding in Islamic Finance” featured Bassam Alali Deputy Group CEO - Treasury & Investments at KFH; Hussain Abdulhaq Chief Treasury Officer at Al Salam Bank; Hussain Al-Banna Head of Treasury at BisB; Yasser Al Saad Chief Treasury & Investment Officer at Al Baraka Islamic Bank; and Shaima Hasan Senior Proposition Manager at LSEG as a moderator.
The event concluded with Session 3, “Islamic Capital Markets in Motion: Sukuk as a Strategic Enabler” featuring Nadia Zubairi Head of DCM at Bank ABC; Hamid Al-Hashimi Head of Treasury at Mumtalakat; Maisa Al Haddad Head of Treasury at GIB; and Sameh Baqer Group Financial Markets Expert. The session was moderated by Dr. Rizwan Malik Head of the Islamic Finance Centre at BIBF.
On this occasion, Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the BIBF, stated: “Hosting this dialogue reflects Bahrain’s commitment to driving innovation and capacity building in Islamic finance. As a pioneering global hub for the industry, Bahrain is dedicated to fostering an environment of excellence. We continue to lead with robust, forward-thinking regulatory frameworks, alongside essential talent development and specialised education initiatives that are crucial for supporting sustainable industry growth across the region. This dialogue is vital for promoting intellectual leadership and advancing Sharia-compliant financial solutions."
Commenting on the industry's trajectory, Mr. Mustafa Adil, Head of Islamic Finance at LSEG, stated: "The Islamic finance industry has successfully transformed from a niche offering to a mainstream financial system. Today, it is not only a vital component of global financial markets but also a driver of innovation and sustainability. With projections estimating total assets to reach nearly US$10 trillion by 2029 and *sukuk* issuance crossing the US$1 trillion mark, the momentum is undeniable. This growth reflects strong investor confidence, robust regulatory frameworks, and the industry’s ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics, including ESG integration and digital transformation. Events like this dialogue are essential to shaping the next chapter of Islamic finance."
The dialogue coincided with the industry’s 50th anniversary and highlighted key developments in Islamic banking, treasury practices, and the role of sukuk. The IFDI 2025 reported strong sector growth, with global Islamic finance assets reaching USD 5.98 trillion in 2024 and projected to rise to USD 9.7 trillion by 2029, while global sukuk issuance is expected to surpass USD 1 trillion. The event also underscored Bahrain’s leadership as a regional Islamic finance hub, supported by the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions and the rise of national Islamic banking assets from USD 1.9 billion in 2000 to USD 61.7 billion in 2024, now exceeding 25% of total banking assets.

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