Islamic Finance and Business Forum
Islamic Finance and Business Forum
Islamic Finance and Business Forum
Islamic Finance and Business Forum
Islamic Finance and Business Forum
May 19-20, 2025
May 19-20, 2025
May 19-20, 2025
Astana
Astana
Astana
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2025

Islamic Finance and
Business Forum

May 19, 2025
Astana, AIFC
Иконка смартфона или бейджа — символ цифровых технологий и мобильного доступа
Клавиша с буквой F — часть надписи FINANCE
Клавиша с буквой I — часть надписи FINANCE
Клавиша с буквой N — часть надписи или декоративный элемент
Иконка банковской карты — символ платежей и цифровых финансов
конка полумесяца — символ исламских финансов и духовных ценностей
конки звезд — декоративные элементы, создающие праздничное настроение
конки звезд — декоративные элементы, создающие праздничное настроение
Клавиша с буквой A — часть надписи FINANCE
Клавиша с буквой N — часть надписи FINANCE
Клавиша с буквой C — часть надписи FINANCE
Клавиша с буквой E — часть надписи FINANCE

A forum on modern approaches in Islamic economics and finance.

Open to professionals, researchers, and anyone working with Islamic principles in economics and business. The Islamic Finance and Business Forum is organized by the Association of Islamic Finance and Business (AIFB) in partnership with the TIDAM communication agency and with the support of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The forum will bring together over 200 participants from Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the CIS.
The goal is to discuss the development of Islamic economics, share experiences, and build professional connections.

Misson

Economic Development
Building sustainable Islamic financial institutions
Иконка глобуса — развитие исламской экономики
Professional Networking
Cooperation between experts, businesses, and government bodies
Иконка лампочки — совместная работа экспертов и лидеров мнений
Expanding Partnerships
International connections and reliable partners
Иконка двух человек — расширение международных партнёрств
Raising Awareness
Promoting knowledge and tools of Islamic economics
Иконка куба — продвижение знаний об исламской экономике
Knowledge Sharing
Best practices in Islamic finance from around the world
Иконка диалога — обмен опытом
Economic Development
Building sustainable Islamic financial institutions
Professional Networking
Cooperation between experts, businesses, and government bodies
Knowledge Sharing
Best practices in Islamic finance from around the world
Raising
Awareness
Promoting knowledge and tools of Islamic economics
Expanding Partnerships
International connections and reliable partners

Who Might Be Interested in the Forum

Leaders and experts in Islamic banking and business
01
Representatives of Islamic banks and financial institutions
03
Regulators, Shariah boards, and government bodies
05
Academics, lecturers, and students
02
PR, marketing, and communication professionals in the halal sector
04
Anyone interested in the development of Islamic business
06
Leaders and experts in Islamic banking and business
01
Representatives of Islamic banks and financial institutions
03
Anyone interested in the development of Islamic business
06
04
PR, marketing, and communication professionals in the halal sector
Regulators, Shariah boards, and government bodies
05
Academics, lecturers, and students
02

Speakers

Ainura Umaeva

Founder and CEO, TIDAM communications agency
Kazakhstan
Chairperson of the Management Board, Islamic Bank “Zaman-Bank” JSC
Kazakhstan

Gulfairuz Asaeva

Ayrat Kasimov

Founder, HalalGuide
Kazakhstan

Gulanor Atobek

Chairperson of the Board, Alif Bank
Tajikistan

Mirlan Taimurzayev

Chief Executive Officer, Al Safi Bank
Kazakhstan

Olzhas Baigulzhaev

Entrepreneur, Investor, and SME Investment Expert
Kazakhstan

Samat Nurzhanuly

Chief Executive Officer, MUSA – Muslim United SuperApp
Kazakhstan

Timur Mukhtarov

Founder, Ajr Finance
Kazakhstan

Dr. Humayon Dar

Director, Cambridge IFA; Leading Practitioner and Scholar in Islamic Finance
United Kingdom

Azat Ötepbay

Founder of the fintech startup Ailat
Kazakhstan

Madina Tukulova

Head of Islamic Finance at the AIFC
Kazakhstan
Managing Director, ITS
Kazakhstan

Alexander Diakovsky

Мирлан Таймурзаев

Главный исполнительный директор, Al Safi Bank
Казахстан

Olzhas Baigulzhaev

Entrepreneur, Investor, and SME Investment Expert
Kazakhstan
Chairperson of the Management Board, Islamic Bank “Zaman-Bank” JSC
Kazakhstan

Gulfairuz Asaeva

Madina Tukulova

Head of Islamic Finance at the AIFC
Kazakhstan
Managing Director, ITS
Kazakhstan

Alexander Diakovsky

Dr. Humayon Dar

Director, Cambridge IFA; Leading Practitioner and Scholar in Islamic Finance
United Kingdom

Gulanor Atobek

Chairperson of the Board, Alif Bank
Tajikistan

Mirlan Taimurzayev

Chief Executive Officer, Al Safi Bank
Kazakhstan

Samat Nurzhanuly

Chief Executive Officer, MUSA – Muslim United SuperApp
Kazakhstan

Timur Mukhtarov

Founder, Ajr Finance
Kazakhstan

Ainura Umaeva

Founder and CEO, TIDAM communications agency
Kazakhstan

Ayrat Kasimov

Founder, HalalGuide
Kazakhstan

Azat Ötepbay

Founder of the fintech startup Ailat
Kazakhstan

Forum Program — May 19

Ceremonies

05
Recognition and honoring of outstanding women from the CIS and Central Asia in the field of Islamic finance and business
Signing of memorandums supporting the development of Islamic finance and business in Kazakhstan

Panel 2: Finance and Women

The role of women in the industry
Real cases and initiatives
Opportunities and challenges
02

Panel 4: Fintech in the Islamic Economy

Discussion on the industry’s prospects and challenges
Promotion of halal technologies as an integral part of the Islamic industry
04

Panel 3: Marketing in Islamic Economy

03
Promoting Islamic products
Communications in the halal sector
Use of digital platforms

Panel 1: Islamic Finance

01
Current state and prospects in Kazakhstan and the region
Global trends
Integration of Islamic tools into the traditional system

Panel 2: Finance and Women

02
The role of women in the industry
Real cases and initiatives
Opportunities and challenges

Panel 3: Marketing in Islamic Economy

03
Promoting Islamic products
Communications in the halal sector
Use of digital platforms

Panel 4: Fintech in the Islamic Economy

04
Discussion on the industry’s prospects and challenges
Promotion of halal technologies as an integral part of the Islamic industry
Ceremonies
05
Recognition and honoring of outstanding women from the CIS and Central Asia in the field of Islamic finance and business
Signing of memorandums supporting the development of Islamic finance and business in Kazakhstan

Panel 1: Islamic Finance

01
Current state and prospects in Kazakhstan and the region
Global trends
Integration of Islamic tools into the traditional system
Иллюстрация с полумесяцем — символ инвестиционных решений
Workshop
Тopic: How to Create an Islamic Investment Fund
May 20, 2025
10:00 - 13:00
AIFC
Russian
A specialized practical workshop for a professional audience
Date
Time
Place
Language
Format
Target Audience
02
Asset managers and investment executives
Representatives of investment and financial companies
Brokers and operators of Islamic platforms
Legal and Shari’ah consultants
Professionals planning to launch Islamic investment funds
Key Topics
Speakers
01
03
The potential and infrastructure of the AIFC for Islamic investment funds and market outlook
Regulatory requirements of the AIFC for fund managers and funds: minimum capital, staffing, internal policies and procedures
Compliance with Shari’ah norms and AAOIFI standards, and their practical application
Madina Tukulova
Head of Islamic Finance at the AIFC
Azat Ötepbay
Founder of the fintech startup Ailat
Adilbek Ryskulov
Shariah scholar and member of Shariah boards of banks and investment companies
55 000 ₸
Price

The forum is not just a platform, but a community. We are open to partnerships and joint initiatives.

Partnership opportunities range from general to informational sponsorship. We offer a flexible collaboration model, opening new promotion channels and points of contact with the audience, enhancing brand reputation, and strengthening partner positioning in the professional community.
Al Safi Bank
The first Islamic bank registered within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The bank offers a broad range of Shariah-compliant financial products and services for both individuals and businesses. Al Safi Bank adheres to ethical, fair, and sustainable financing practices, excluding speculative and unfair transactions. As a reliable partner, it contributes to the development of Islamic banking in the region and promotes principles of accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in finance.
Alif
One of the fastest-growing Islamic fintech projects in Central Asia, founded in Tajikistan. Alif is known for its innovative digital products, user-friendly mobile banking, and transparent, Shariah-compliant terms. It combines advanced technologies with spiritual and ethical values in its operations.
ITS
ITS is an international liquidity hub that provides investors with access to over 3,000 instruments from leading companies listed in the US and Kazakhstan.
ITS’s strategic mission is to broaden investment opportunities for Kazakhstani and international investors by offering access to a wide range of global securities using innovative trading solutions that are new to the local market.
One of ITS’s key products is the ITS Shariah ETF (ITSS ETF) — the first Shariah-compliant index ETF in Central Asia and the Caucasus. It enables investors to invest in major global companies whose activities align with Islamic principles.

For questions about participation, registration, or partnership

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