Qatar To Convene Global Islamic Finance Meet Focused on AI Transformation

Under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Doha is set to host the 12th Islamic Finance Conference under the theme ‘Islamic Finance in the Age of Agentic Systems’. Organised by Bait Al-Mashura Finance Consultations, the conference is supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) as Official Sponsor, Dukhan Bank as Strategic Partner, the General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as Diamond Sponsor, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) as Gold Sponsor, and Damaan Islamic Insurance Company (Beema) as Bronze Sponsor.

The event will take place on 16 June, 2026, at Al Majlis Hall, Sheraton Grand Doha, bringing together representatives from government entities, international organisations, financial institutions, and academic bodies specialising in economics, finance, and technology. The conference’s outcomes are expected to contribute to the advancement of the Islamic finance industry in Qatar and beyond.

Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Vice Chairman of Bait Al-Mashura Finance Consultations, said: “This year’s conference is being held amid significant geopolitical tensions and challenges across the region. Nevertheless, the Islamic finance sector has proven its remarkable resilience and adaptability. Islamic financial institutions are characterised by high-quality assets, strong capitalisation, and healthy liquidity levels, while maintaining rigorous risk-mitigation frameworks.

This provides protection against geopolitical shocks and enhances their ability to navigate challenges and turn crises into opportunities.”

He noted: “According to estimates by S&P Global Ratings, the global Islamic finance industry is projected to grow by 5% - 10% in 2026, with growth expected to accelerate further in 2027. Meanwhile, data from the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) indicates that global Islamic finance assets expanded by 13.4% year-on-year to reach US$4.4 trillion in 2025. The industry recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% between 2020 and 2025, reflecting a $1.7 trillion addition to the Islamic finance industry since 2020.

ave remained robust. Markets have continued to absorb demand, driven by the participatory nature of Islamic finance and the real assets underpinning its financing structures.”

Prof. Dr. Khalid Al-Sulaiti also outlined the key themes of the 12th Doha Islamic Finance Conference, noting that the first theme, ‘Islamic Financial Institutions and the Application of Agentic Systems’, will focus on the applications of AI agentic systems in the financial sector, Shariah rulings related to these systems, alongside reviewing the legal framework governing the operation of AI agents in Islamic finance.

The theme will also explore automated agent trading and smart sukuk, highlighting the investment opportunities they offer and the challenges they pose.

In addition, it will address the design of intertwined agentic systems integrated with neural networks, as well as the neuro-inspired agentic AI systems and its potential impact on the future of Islamic finance industry. Through these discussions, the conference seeks to keep pace with the rapid evolution of autonomous intelligent systems while promoting regulatory and Shariah-compliant frameworks that safeguard institutions and ensure the integrity of their financial transactions.

The second theme, ‘The Evolution of Waqf under Agentic AI Systems’, will explore the Shariah principles and objectives governing the management of waqf by AI agents, while examining the role of AI agents in managing and investing endowments.

It will also address smart crowdfunding tools as an innovative model within the sharing economy and examine crypto asset-based crowdfunding through real-world case studies, aiming to modernise the institutional framework governing waqf organisations and maximise their developmental and charitable impact through the integration of autonomoustechnologies.

He further noted that the third theme, ‘Virtual Influencers and Islamic Finance’, will explore the virtual influencer market and analyse its rapidly growing trends, while highlighting the Shariah and legal regulations governing the work of virtual influencers.

The theme will also examine the jurisprudence and ethical dimensions of commerce via virtual influencers, as well as the potential use of them in promoting waqf and charitable activities.

In addition, discussions will address the role of virtual influencers in shaping public sentiment and marketing Islamic finance products, given the significant communication power and direct economic impact of this emerging digital landscape, which calls for a clear Shariah and marketing framework.

The fourth and final theme, ‘Zakat and Development in the Agentic AI Systems Environment’, will focus on the role of AI agentic systems in analysing zakat data and automated decision-making to ensure the highest levels of transparency and fairness.

It will examine zakat governance in the digital environment and the realization of the objectives of Shariah, while also exploring ways to accelerating the role of zakat in sustainable development through agentic AI systems.

The theme will conclude with real-world experiences case studies of digital zakat and smart platforms, aimed at fostering a sustainable Islamic socio-economic ecosystem characterised by secure digital transformation, operational agility, and highly efficient implementation.

Talal Ahmed Al-Khaja, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Dukhan Bank, affirmed that the bank’s sponsorship and participation as Strategic Partner of the 12th Doha Islamic Finance Conference reflects its commitment to supporting innovation across the Islamic finance industry.

He noted that the bank consistently seeks to participate in this influential international event, which has played a key role in shaping the future of Islamic banking worldwide since its inception in 2010 under the umbrella of Bait Al-Mashura Finance Consultations.

He added that this sponsorship forms part of the bank’s CSR initiatives and reflects its commitment to advancing the Islamic economy, promoting scientific research, and encouraging thought leadership. These efforts contribute to strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading hub for Islamic finance while anticipating future trends that will shape the broader financial ecosystem.

On the bank’s performance and growth strategy, Al Khaja said that Dukhan Bank continues to strengthen its position in the Qatari market through the introduction of a new generation of integrated financing and investment solutions designed to meet customers’ evolving needs with greater flexibility and security.

He further noted that the bank is guided by an ambitious digital strategy aligned with the rapid technological shifts shaping today’s world.

 This has recently been reflected in the launch of a range of pioneering digital solutions, bringing the latest innovations in global banking to the local market.

Eng. Hassan Al Marzouqi, Director-General of the General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Diamond Sponsor, stated that the Directorate’s participation and sponsorship of the 12th Doha Islamic Finance Conference is primarily aimed at exchanging insights on mechanisms for advancing the Islamic finance industry and expanding its growth prospects, particularly within the waqf sector. He noted that the conference will examine the Shariah controls governing agentic AI systems and their role in the management and investment of endowments.

Al Marzouqi emphasised that, over the years, the conference has established itself as a leading platform that contributes to empowering Islamic finance institutions, enhancing their capabilities, addressing emerging challenges, and identifying new opportunities.

He added that the conference plays an active role in strengthening Qatar’s global competitiveness in the fields of waqf and Islamic finance by fostering high-level dialogue among academics, experts, and policymakers.

This ongoing dialogue seeks to harness intelligent technologies and advanced systems to develop innovative solutions that ensure the sustainability and adaptability of endowments, drawing on international best practices and leading experiences in waqf technology to further advance this vital developmental sector.