prime minister urges islamic finance to stay innovative, inclusive and competitive
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the opening of the 2026 International Shariah Scholars Roundtable (iSHAR) that all parties must work to keep Islamic finance innovative, inclusive and globally competitive…
Source: The Edge Malaysia · Traders Union · tradersunion.com · NST Online · October 3, 2026 at 2:32 AM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 3 OCTOBER 2026 —
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the opening of the 2026 International Shariah Scholars Roundtable (iSHAR) that all parties must work to keep Islamic finance innovative, inclusive and globally competitive amid heightened economic uncertainty.
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Anwar, who also serves as finance minister, said the Islamic world should foster shariah thought leadership that is rooted in tradition yet agile enough to address contemporary realities. He added that the iSHAR gathering “reflects the reality that no single country, institution, or scholar can face this challenge by themselves.”
“Thus, we must strengthen strategic collaboration among scholars, regulators, financial institutions, and the academic community,” Anwar said, as his opening speech was read by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
The prime minister highlighted Malaysia’s reputation as a pioneer in the global Islamic finance ecosystem, not for prestige but because the world needs a financial system grounded in ethics, justice and compassion. He linked this to the MADANI framework, which he said demands a balance between economic growth and moral responsibility, profit and noble objectives.
Anwar noted that today’s financial issues are as much moral questions as technical ones, emphasizing that justice, transparency and accountability must remain at the heart of economic and financial institutions navigating an increasingly complex global environment.
He reiterated that no country, institution or individual scholar can address these challenges alone and called for continued effort to strengthen fairness in the financial system, inclusivity in economic participation, sustainability in development and integrity in every transaction.
The remarks, reported by Reuters, The Star and KLSescreener, underscore the government’s push for a values‑driven, collaborative approach as Malaysia seeks to maintain its leadership in the Islamic finance sector.