The second edition of the Global Islamic Economy Summit commenced today in Istanbul, organized by the Al Baraka Forum over three days until Sunday. The event features the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan alongside a distinguished gathering of policymakers, economic thinkers, and influential figures from around the world.
In his opening remarks, Abdullah Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economy, emphasized the remarkable developmental momentum witnessed in major capitals across the Arab and Islamic worlds. This progress reflects institutional maturity and a genuine readiness to shape the future of the global economy through a model that harmonizes values with efficiency.
Kamel highlighted that ongoing economic transformations across many Islamic countries demonstrate their preparedness to adopt a modern economic model based on firm principles, offering practical solutions to challenges related to sustainable development and financial stability.
He stressed that Islamic finance is not merely a theoretical alternative but a comprehensive financial system proven effective in the fields of financing and investment. Tools such as waqf (endowment), zakat (almsgiving), takaful (Islamic insurance), and sukuk (Islamic bonds) can be implemented within modern, transparent regulatory frameworks.
Kamel also noted that the Islamic world possesses rich human resources, natural wealth, and a strong intellectual foundation that qualify it to build a globally competitive economic model. He underscored the importance of expanding partnerships among countries, institutions, and communities to transform successful experiences into scalable frameworks for international growth.
This vision reflects a strategic commitment to leading a comprehensive economic movement that balances tradition with innovation, positioning the Islamic world as a leading force in the contemporary global economy.
Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economy is an independent, non-profit intellectual platform founded in 1981 in Medina. It continues to hold annual meetings bringing together experts and decision-makers to develop forward-looking visions for the Islamic economy worldwide, enriching research resources and supporting sustainable development in the sector.