MADINA — The 46th Al-Barakah Symposium on Islamic Economics begins Monday in Madinah, bringing together leading academics, policymakers and financial experts from 18 countries to discuss the role of philanthropy in shaping the future of the Islamic economic system.
The symposium, themed “Philanthropy and Philanthropy in the Islamic Economy: Towards a New Future,” will be held for three days from February 9th to 11th, 2026 at the Women’s Campus of Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz University.
The event is hosted by the Islamic Economics Al-Barakah Forum and is considered one of the region’s largest intellectual and economic gatherings dedicated to Islamic finance.
The symposium is organized by Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University as the official host partner, with Al Baraka Group participating as the global partner, and Iqraa Platform acting as the media partner, reflecting the cooperation of academic, knowledge and media institutions in promoting Islamic economic thought.
Established over 40 years ago, the Al-Barakah Symposium is one of the world’s most prominent platforms for Islamic economics, playing an important role in advancing both its theoretical foundations and practical applications.
For many years, we have fostered dialogue among academics, experts, and decision makers on contemporary economic challenges through a values-based and efficiency-driven approach.
This year’s program includes six core sessions and more than 20 academic and applied discussion tracks focused on the economic role of philanthropy as a positive contributor to development, social stability, and economic justice.
Topics will focus on core Islamic tools such as Zakat, Waqf, charitable donations, interest-free loans, and volunteering.
Abdullah Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Al-Barakah Islamic Economic Forum, said the symposium is based on the long-standing intellectual vision established by the late Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, a pioneer in Islamic economics.
He explained that the Islamic economy is a comprehensive civilizational project rooted in values, measured by impact, and aimed at serving humanity and achieving sustainable development.
He added that this edition marks a pivotal moment by spotlighting philanthropy as a fundamental economic and development pillar that can address the economic and social challenges of our time.
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Mr. Kamel emphasized the importance of innovation and youth empowerment as key drivers of the future of the Islamic economy.
Yousef Qarawi, Secretary-General of Al-Barakah Forum, said that the Forum is a global intellectual institution that has contributed for decades to the development of Islamic economic tools and to connecting academic theory with real-world practice through international initiatives and platforms.
He noted that the theme of this year’s symposium reflects a strategic shift to redefine philanthropy as a core economic element rather than a complementary activity, emphasizing its role in sustainable development, social impact and strengthening the nonprofit sector’s contribution to national economies.
It will also be discussed how to modernize the tools of philanthropy through financial innovation, strengthen the role of Islamic banks and financial institutions in the deployment of these tools, and promote the integration of the financial and nonprofit sectors in line with Shariah principles.
The symposium will focus on the use of emerging technologies and innovative finance to scale up the impact of philanthropic and development activities and transform them into sustainable economic projects, with a special emphasis on innovation, youth empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
The program includes two specialized academic lectures and four applied workshops aimed at building organizational capacity, bridging theory and practice, and improving the skills of Islamic finance and economics professionals.
To support scientific research and youth development, the symposium will host an interactive academic session entitled “Bridging Research and Practice”, sponsored by the Saleh Kamel Prize in Islamic Economics, where young researchers will have the opportunity to present their research to senior academics and experts.
Al-Barakah Forum will also sponsor the 3rd Young Researchers Hosting Grant in 2026, which will enable selected participants to attend symposiums, engage in academic dialogue, and build professional networks to help develop the next generation of Islamic economics experts.
