Conference scope

The hybrid conference seeks to revitalize the financial development and stability of emerging economies that implement Islamic banking and finance models. It will explore cultural, economic, legal, and Shari’ah perspectives on key issues such as financial innovation, regulatory oversight, governance mechanisms, and economic development – framed within Maqasid al-Shari’ah (the Objectives of Islamic Law) and a purpose-driven approach to Islamic finance. We particularly encourage original research that goes beyond problem-solving to a purpose-oriented framework, examining how Islamic law and finance can be leveraged to advance sustainability, social equity, and economic development.

The conference welcomes paper submissions on, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Financial Innovations (including FinTech) – To increase efficiency, enhance access to capital, and promote economic growth by improving financial products, services, and markets.
• Shaping Monetary Policy from a Maqasid perspective – To manage money supply and credit to achieve economic stability and growth.
• Designing Fiscal Policy from a Maqasid perspective – To use government spending and taxation to influence the economy, ensuring stability, growth, and equitable wealth distribution.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Islamic Finance – To enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making, leading to higher profitability and economic stability.
• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks – To protect stakeholder rights, thereby enhancing stability.
• Access to Finance and Social Welfare – To mitigate poverty and social tensions, thereby achieving United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Corporate Governance and Shari’ah Compliance – To develop governance standards aligned with Maqasid al-Shari’ah.
• Purpose-Based vs. Problem-Based Approaches – To identify Maqasid-based economic planning and policymaking.
• Cultural Dimensions in Islamic Finance – To establish The role of Shari’ah governance in diverse socio-cultural contexts.
• Islamic Finance for Global Challenges – To integrate Islamic ESG frameworks and sustainable finance solutions.
• Governance Mechanisms and Stakeholder Accountability – To Enhance Shari’ah audit and accountability practices.

Keynote Speakers: TBC.

Conference organising committee

Kumushoy Abduraimova (Durham University, UK), Albara Abdullah Abulaban (Islamic Economics Institute, King Abdul Aziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)), Nafis Alam (Monash University, Malaysia), Maha Alandejani (King Abdul Aziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)), Basel Awartani (King Fahad University of Petroleum and Mineralsx, KSA), Ahmet Faruk Aysan (Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar), Sabri Boubaker (EM Normandie Business School, France), Farzana Chowdhury (Durham University, UK), Damian Damianov (Durham University, UK), Muhammed Shahid Ebrahim (Durham University, UK), Lilly Huang (Durham University, UK), Syed Mujahid Hussain (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman), Abdullah Iqbal (University of Kent, UK), Arze Karam (Durham University, UK), Anthony Kyiu (Durham University), Amir Michael (Durham University), Tasawar Nawaz (Huddersfield University, UK), Vasileious Pappas (University of Surrey, UK), José Maria Recio (Saudi Spanish Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance), Baback Roodbar (Durham University, UK), Eskandar Shah (INCEIF University, Malaysia), Yusuf Sidani (American University of Beirut, Lebanon), Abdulkader Thomas (SOAS, University of London, UK and the Saudi-Spanish Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance), Emili Tortosa-Ausina (Universitat Jaume I, Spain).

Co-Chairs:

• Mohamed Aslam Akbar (International Islamic University, Malaysia)
• Muhammed Shahid Ebrahim (Durham University, UK) and SAIF
• Mohamed Eskandar Shah (INCEIF University, Malaysia)
• Abdulkader Thomas (SOAS, University of London, UK and the Saudi-Spanish Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance)

Publication Opportunities:

• The Annual Review of Islamic Finance
• The Arab Law Quarterly
• The Encyclopedia of Islamic Banking and Finance
• The International Journal of Finance & Economics
• The ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance
• The Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money

Timelines and Submission Process

Papers and extended abstracts (in PDF version) should be submitted by May 9, 2025 to the email addresses (business.dept.finance@durham.ac.uk; and m.s.ebrahim@durham.ac.uk) with the subject “Islamic Law and Finance Conference.”  Early submissions are highly encouraged.

Decisions will be made by May 30, 2025

Important Dates:

Submission deadline: 9 May 2025

Intimation of review results: 30 May 2025

Registration deadline: 4 July 2025

Conference event: 24-25 July 2025

Collaborators 

• INCEIF University, Malaysia
• International Islamic University, Malaysia
• Iranian Association of Islamic Finance
• Saudi-Spanish Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance
• Society for the Advancement of Islamic Finance (SAIF)
• Islamic Economics Institute, King Abdul Aziz University,

Contact us

For queries, please contact Professor M. Shahid Ebrahim at (m.s.ebrahim@durham.ac.uk).

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