7–8 December 2025, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain | The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), the global umbrella for Islamic financial institutions, concluded its 2025 capacity building activities with the successful delivery of its online Technical Workshop titled “Shariah Governance in Islamic Financial Institutions.”

Shariah governance remains a key pillar in ensuring transparency, trust, and ethical compliance within Islamic financial institutions. As markets evolve, strong governance frameworks support sound decision-making, effective risk management, and the sustainable growth of Islamic finance.

The workshop provides participants with an overview of core Shariah governance concepts, international standards, internal Shariah audit practices, and Shariah risk management. Through interactive discussions and applied case studies, attendees gain practical insights that help strengthen their institutional governance frameworks.

Ms. Zainab Al Owainaty, Director of Administration and Finance at CIBAFI, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting CIBAFI’s ongoing commitment to developing professionals in the Islamic finance industry. She emphasized the importance of robust Shariah governance systems as a foundation for credibility, operational resilience, and sustainable institutional growth. She also underscored the alignment between effective governance, prudent risk management, and the long-term stability of Islamic financial institutions.

The workshop was facilitated by the esteemed Dr. Hussein Samhan, General Manager of Jana International Consulting Foundation and Accredited Trainer of CIBAFI. Attendees benefited from the extensive industry experience and practical insights shared by distinguished guest speakers, including Dr. Abdulbari Mashal, Managing Partner at Raqaba, USA; Mrs. Manal Alhaddad, Consultant in Islamic Economics and Corporate Governance, Türkiye; and Mr. Muthana AlJuboori, Director of the Legal Department at First Iraqi Bank, Iraq.

CIBAFI extends its appreciation to all attendees and speakers for contributing to the success of this final workshop of the year. Stay tuned for our upcoming workshops in 2026, where we will continue our efforts to support professional development and advance the global Islamic financial services industry.