PR/5/2025

With High-Level International Participation and the Support of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) is pleased to announce the convening of its 23rd Annual Shari’ah Boards Conference, scheduled to take place on Sunday and Monday, 20–21 April 2025 (corresponding to 22–23 Shawwal 1446 AH), at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The event is being held under the esteemed patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain and will bring together distinguished Shari’ah scholars, regulators, and senior industry leaders from around the globe.

As one of the most established and influential gatherings in the Islamic finance sector, the Shari’ah Boards Conference has, for over two decades, served as a central platform for shaping thought leadership, unifying scholarly perspectives, and enhancing Shari’ah governance across the Islamic financial industry.

The official opening of the two-day conference will feature keynote addresses by His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani, Chairman of the AAOIFI Shari’ah Board; H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the AAOIFI Board of Trustees; Dr. Mohammed Omar Banaja, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Yemen; and Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank. The opening session will also include a formal recognition of distinguished guests and sponsors, the signing of several memoranda of understanding, and the inauguration of the conference’s accompanying exhibition.

The conference agenda will span five in-depth scholarly and technical sessions across two days. Discussions will tackle high-priority and emerging topics facing the global Islamic finance industry, including: the legal and Shari’ah perspectives on compensation for breaches of binding promises, the governing law in international Islamic financial contracts, the jurisprudential implications of contract combination structures, and practical frameworks and applications for reinsurance in Islamic finance.

This year’s conference is expected to draw participation from scholars and practitioners representing over 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Malaysia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Attendees will include central bank representatives, Shari’ah board members, academics, legal experts, senior executives from Islamic financial institutions, and representatives from international standard-setting bodies.

In a statement marking the occasion, H.E. Sheikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the AAOIFI Board of Trustees, emphasized the enduring relevance of the conference, noting:

““The Shari’ah Boards Conference organized by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions, supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain and several Islamic financial institutions, has played a significant role in guiding the global Islamic finance industry over the past 22 years.” He expressed his delight in organizing this pioneering conference once again this year and looks forward to hosting participants including Shari’ah scholars, policy-makers, decision-makers, leaders, and other experts in the Islamic finance industry.

The conference is being held at a time of increasing global recognition of Islamic finance as a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional systems. With more than 45 regulatory and supervisory authorities across 40+ jurisdictions now adopting AAOIFI’s standards, the organization continues to play a critical role in shaping the development and harmonization of Islamic finance practices worldwide.

To promote inclusion and accessibility, the conference proceedings will be available with live interpretation in Arabic, English, and French, and streamed live via AAOIFI’s digital platforms, including Zoom, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Remote participation is welcomed upon prior registration.

AAOIFI invites all stakeholders, industry professionals, and scholars interested in attending—either in person or virtually—to register through its official website. Media representatives are also encouraged to coordinate with the AAOIFI Media and Communications Department for coverage opportunities, speaker interviews, and access to exclusive content.

Conference Details:

Date: Sunday–Monday, 20–21 April 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Bahrain Time)
Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Format: In-person + Live-streamed

Registration and Contact:

Register via: www.aaoifi.com
Email: media@aaoifi.com
Tel: +973 1724 4496