The 46th session of the Al Baraka Symposium on Islamic Economics commences tomorrow, Monday, under the slogan “The Charity and Benevolence Sector in Islamic Economics: Towards a New Future.” It will be held from February 9 to 11, 2026, at Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz University – Female Campus – in Medina, with the participation of an elite group of dignitaries, financial thought leaders, scholars, decision-makers, and representatives of financial and developmental institutions from 18 countries around the world. This intellectual and economic gathering is considered one of the largest in the region.

The symposium is hosted by Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz University as the host partner, in partnership with Al Baraka Group as a global partner, alongside a media partnership with the IQRAA platform. This reflects the integration of roles between intellectual, academic, and media institutions in supporting Islamic economics issues and enhancing its global presence.

Contemporary Economic Issues

The Al Baraka Symposium on Islamic Economics is one of the most prominent global platforms specialized in Islamic economics and one of the oldest intellectual forums that, over more than four decades, has contributed to developing its intellectual and applied system. It promotes constructive dialogue among scholars, experts, and decision-makers on contemporary economic issues from an Islamic perspective that balances ethical values and economic efficiency.

In its 46th session, the symposium will address six main sessions and more than 20 scientific and applied themes, focusing on highlighting the pivotal role of the charity and benevolence sector in Islamic economics. This sector is seen as an active economic component that contributes to achieving development, enhancing social stability, and supporting economic justice through its authentic tools, foremost among them Zakat, Waqf, Sadaqah, Qard Hasan (benevolent loan), and volunteering.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economics

It was explained that the 46th session represents a pivotal stage in the symposium’s journey by focusing on the charity and benevolence sector as an authentic economic and developmental tributary within the Islamic economic system, capable of contributing to addressing contemporary economic and social challenges. The importance of investing in innovation and youth as two pillars for the future of this economy was emphasized.

Achieving Sustainable Development

It was further clarified that the topic of this year’s symposium reflects a strategic direction to re-read this sector as an authentic economic component within the Islamic economic system, not merely a complementary activity. The symposium seeks to highlight its role in achieving sustainable development, maximizing social impact, and empowering the non-profit sector to contribute effectively to national economies.

The symposium discusses ways to develop charity and benevolence tools and link them to financial innovation, as well as enhancing the role of Islamic banks and financial institutions in employing them within Sharia-compliant economic models. This supports economic sustainability and enhances integration between the financial and non-profit sectors.

The symposium also pays special attention to supporting innovation, empowering youth, and promoting social entrepreneurship within the framework of Islamic economics. This is done by highlighting the role of modern technologies and innovative financing in expanding the impact of charitable and developmental work and transforming social initiatives into sustainable economic projects.

Secretary-General of the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economics
Experts from 18 countries discuss the role of the charity and benevolence sector in Islamic economics 3

The symposium includes two specialized scientific lectures, along with four applied workshops aimed at building institutional capacity, linking theoretical knowledge with practical application, and developing the competencies of workers in the fields of Islamic economics and finance.

Supporting Scientific Research and Building Young Competencies

As part of supporting scientific research and building young competencies, the symposium includes an interactive scientific session titled “Bridges of Research and Application,” held under the patronage of the Saleh Kamel Award for Islamic Economics. It aims to link academic research with practical application, enabling young researchers

Al Baraka Symposium on Islamic Economics

The Al Baraka Symposium on Islamic Economics is a major international academic conference that focuses on the development and application of Islamic economic principles. It was established by the Al Baraka Banking Group to provide a platform for scholars, bankers, and policymakers to discuss topics like Islamic finance, banking, and social justice within an Islamic framework. The symposium has a significant history of fostering research and dialogue since its inception, contributing to the growth of the global Islamic finance industry.

Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz University

Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz University is a public university located in Medina, Saudi Arabia, founded in 2020 by royal decree and named after the late Prince Mugrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It was established to advance higher education and research in the region, consolidating several existing colleges into a single, modern institution.

Medina

The Medina is the historic old city center found in many North African towns, most famously in Fez, Marrakech, and Tunis. These walled districts, often dating back to the medieval period, are characterized by a dense maze of narrow alleyways, bustling souks (markets), mosques, and traditional houses. They serve as a living testament to Islamic urban design and social life, having been the heart of commerce, culture, and religion for centuries.

Al Baraka Group

“Al Baraka Group” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a large multinational Islamic banking and financial services conglomerate founded in 1978 by Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel. Headquartered in Bahrain, its history is tied to the development of modern Islamic finance, operating through a network of banking units and branches across multiple countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

IQRAA platform

The IQRAA platform is an online educational initiative, primarily in the Arab world, designed to teach the Quran, Arabic language, and Islamic studies through digital tools and resources. While its specific founding history is not widely documented in mainstream sources, it represents a modern effort to make traditional religious and linguistic education more accessible via technology, reflecting a broader trend of digitizing Islamic learning in the 21st century.

Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economics

The Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economics is a specialized research and academic institution established in 2005, dedicated to the study and development of Islamic economics, banking, and finance. It operates under the umbrella of the Al Baraka Banking Group, aiming to promote ethical financial principles rooted in Islamic law (Sharia) through conferences, publications, and scholarly dialogue.

Saleh Kamel Award for Islamic Economics

The Saleh Kamel Award for Islamic Economics is a prestigious international prize established in 2009 by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in honor of the late Saudi businessman and philanthropist. It aims to recognize and encourage outstanding scholarly and practical contributions to the field of Islamic economics, finance, and banking, promoting research that aligns with Shariah principles. The award reflects a modern effort to advance Islamic economic thought as a distinct discipline within the global financial system.