IFN OnAir

As Oman’s banking sector evolves, this focused roundtable examines how Islamic finance can better support businesses and consumers while responding to changing expectations. We discuss opportunities across SME, housing and personal finance, and consider how digital delivery, data and efficient onboarding can broaden access and improve customer experience. We also ask how Islamic banks can balance innovation and growth with sound financing principles, responsible banking and Oman Vision 2040.

Moderator:

Aisha Al Kharusi, Deputy Executive Chairperson, Modern College of Business and Science

Panelists:

Ali Hassan Moosa, Financial Expert/Adviser, Ministry of Finance
Sami Arfah Bait Rashid, Assistant General Manager, Meethaq Personal Banking
Suleman Muhammad, Head of Islamic Products and Segments, Muzn Islamic Banking

Max Freeman, Founder, Epicenter Labs

Issa Khalfan Al Suqri, Head, Shariah Compliance and Audit, Meethaq Islamic Banking

We offer focus on the strategic future of Islamic financial services across Oman, from banking and retail finance to capital markets and asset management. Industry leaders examine how the sector can support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, including economic diversification, private sector development, innovation and sustainable growth, while also considering how evolving regulatory and market expectations are reshaping the industry’s competitive landscape. Designed to provide clear strategies and directional thinking, this session sets the tone for the industry’s next phase of development.

Moderator:

Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)

Panelists:

Abbas Ali, Chief Investment Officer, U Capital
Asad Qayyum, Managing Partner, MAQ Legal
James Sadler, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Structured Finance, Banking and Corporate Finance, Oman Investment Bank
Salah Al Aradi, Head of Treasury – TIBIG & Member, Treasurers Committee – Oman Banks Association

Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)

Haitham Al Salmi, CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange

Asia Al Raisi, Deputy Chief of Economist for Investment and Market Operations, Central Bank of Oman

In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Abdulla Al Hammadi, AVP - Ratings, Financial Institutions Group at Moody’s Ratings, about the performance of GCC Islamic banks in the first half of 2026 compared with their conventional peers. They discuss the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic pressures, developments in the Sukuk market and the key credit indicators Moody’s will be watching over the remainder of 2026.

As Islamic finance accelerates digital adoption, we ask whether Shariah governance frameworks are robust enough to preserve trust and accountability. We examine how market-led oversight models are responding to AI-driven decision-making, automated product flows, tokenisation and cross-border digital services already in use. We discuss emerging governance gaps, fragmentation risks and what credible, coordinated Shariah oversight looks like in practice.

Moderator:

Dr Jonathan Ercanbrack, Chair, Centre of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law, School of Oriental and African Studies

Panelists:

Mufti Faraz Adam, Leading Global Advisor, Islamic Finance, Fintech and Digital Assets
Prof Dr Imam Uddin, Associate Dean – Industry Relations, College of Business Management and Director, Centre for Islamic Business and Finance
Mohammed Saifullah Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Ebdaa Islamic Finance Consultancy
Sefian Kasem, Global Head of ETF and Indexing Investment Specialists and Lead Investment Specialist Portfolio Advisory and OCIO, HSBC Global Asset Management

We examine how Shariah-compliant structured real estate and vehicle finance is evolving to support increasingly sophisticated institutional and cross-border transactions. We discuss private capital, development finance, refinancing structures, risk-sharing approaches and the growing importance of real assets within Islamic investment strategies.

Moderator:

Nicholas Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins

Panelists:

Abdullo Kurbanov, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Ayan Capital
Safeer Bashir, Co-founder, Piccadilly & Co
Sajid Bashir, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Copperstones
Satyajeet Roy, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Habib Bank AG Zurich