Medina (UNA) – The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) concluded its annual meetings and events, which were held remotely in Medina, Saudi Arabia, today, April 17, 2025.
The event brought together members of the Board of Directors, members of the General Council, award committees, stakeholders, and strategic partners from around the world for a series of high-level meetings, concluding with a ceremony honoring the winner of the 2025 Award for Innovation in Achieving Financial Inclusion and Islamic Finance Goals.
The Council launched its annual activities on April 15 with the 23rd meeting of the CIBAFI Accreditation Scientific Board, followed by the Strategic Professional Development Seminar titled “Preparing Leaders in Islamic Finance to Face Future Challenges,” and a roundtable meeting on “CIBAFI’s Strategic Plan: Assessing Achievements and Defining Future Priorities.”
The second day of the meetings featured a meeting of the Members' Advisory Group, where participants reviewed current initiatives and future plans in line with strategic directions and global changes. This was followed by the 51st Board of Directors meeting, which discussed upcoming initiatives within the action plan aimed at strengthening the leadership role of the General Council as the official umbrella body for the Islamic finance industry.
The program concluded with the 25th General Assembly meeting, reaffirming the Council's commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and the principles of good governance.
During the agenda, the ten-year activity report (2014–2024) was launched, serving as a strategic reference documenting a decade of achievements implemented within the main strategic objectives, which include: supporting the added value of Islamic finance, regulatory policies and systems, spreading awareness, and professional development, with a presentation on expanding the geographical scope of membership during 2024.
The meetings concluded with a ceremony announcing the winner of the 2025 General Council Award, under the theme “Innovation for Financial Inclusion and the Objectives of Islamic Finance.” The ceremony was inaugurated with an opening speech delivered by His Excellency Mr. Hussam bin Al-Haj Omar, CEO of Al Baraka Group and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Islamic Bank. During the speech, he emphasized the importance of financial inclusion in achieving the objectives of Sharia, praising the proactive role of the General Council in encouraging Islamic banks and financial institutions to embrace innovation and facilitate the provision of financial services to communities in need.
Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt was honored for winning the 2025 award.
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