Expanding global Islamic finance engagement through IFN Forum 2026

Hejaz is strengthening its position on the global Islamic finance stage through an expanded presence across the IFN Forum 2026 series, participating in industry discussions spanning Central Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

The Islamic financial services group will participate in multiple IFN events throughout 2026, bringing its expertise in Islamic asset management, investment products and financial innovation to conversations shaping the future of the industry across several key markets.

Further underscoring Hejaz's growing international profile, Chief Marketing Officer Ali Ozyon has been appointed to the IFN Forum 2026 Advisory Board, joining a select group of global industry leaders responsible for helping guide discussions and priorities across the IFN Forum network.

Ozyon's appointment marks a significant milestone for Hejaz, reflecting the group's growing recognition within the international Islamic finance community. The Advisory Board brings together senior leaders from across the global Islamic finance ecosystem to help shape discussion themes, identify emerging industry priorities and support the development of the IFN Forum program across multiple jurisdictions.

Through its participation across the IFN Forum 2026 series and representation on the Advisory Board, Hejaz is contributing to industry discussions that extend beyond individual markets and events, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the continued growth and development of Islamic finance globally.

Hejaz's engagement began at the recent IFN Uzbekistan Forum, where discussions explored the next phase of Islamic finance development in Central Asia, including the growth of Islamic investment products, asset management and capital markets.

The forum featured a discussion on Islamic investment products and asset management in Uzbekistan, exploring regulatory enablers, Sharia-compliant investment structures and opportunities to support the country's growing capital markets. While the conversation began with Uzbekistan's evolving Islamic finance landscape, it quickly broadened to address trends shaping the industry globally, including investor participation, product innovation and the increasing role of asset management in driving sector growth.

Reflecting on the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in Islamic finance, Hakan Ozyon, Founder and CEO of Hejaz, said:

"Islamic finance is becoming increasingly interconnected, with investors, regulators and financial institutions looking beyond individual markets to share expertise and unlock new opportunities.

Events such as the IFN Forum series play an important role in bringing together industry participants from different regions to discuss common challenges, emerging trends and the future direction of Islamic finance. As the sector continues to mature, collaboration across markets will be critical to supporting innovation, strengthening regulatory frameworks and expanding access to Sharia-compliant investment solutions."

Asset management is becoming a defining growth opportunity

Much of the industry's early development focused on establishing Islamic banking capabilities and building awareness of Sharia-compliant financial products.

Today, attention is increasingly shifting towards investment management, retirement products, public markets and wealth creation strategies capable of supporting the sector's next stage of growth.

That evolution is creating new opportunities for collaboration between jurisdictions at different stages of development. Markets with established Islamic finance ecosystems can share practical experience, while emerging jurisdictions can contribute fresh perspectives and new sources of growth.

The increasing focus on asset management was reflected not only in Uzbekistan, but across the broader IFN Forum 2026 program, where investment-related themes feature prominently throughout the calendar.

Hejaz expands its international engagement

Hejaz's involvement in the IFN Forum 2026 series extends well beyond a single market.

Throughout the year, representatives from the group will participate in events across Central Asia, the United Kingdom, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, engaging with regulators, financial institutions, asset managers and industry leaders.

This breadth of participation reflects the increasingly global nature of Islamic finance and positions Hejaz at the centre of conversations taking place across some of the industry's most important growth markets.

Through speaking engagements, exhibition participation and representation on the IFN Forum 2026 Advisory Board, the group is helping facilitate dialogue around Islamic asset management, investment innovation, retirement solutions and the future development of Sharia-compliant financial products.

International forums are becoming more influential

The growing complexity of Islamic finance has elevated the importance of industry forums as places where ideas, policy developments and commercial opportunities intersect.

For financial institutions, asset managers and market participants, these events provide an opportunity to understand how regulatory frameworks are evolving, where investor demand is emerging and which product categories are attracting attention across different regions.

As Islamic finance continues to expand across new regions and asset classes, international collaboration is becoming increasingly important.

Through its participation in the IFN Forum 2026 series and representation on the IFN Forum Advisory Board, Hejaz is contributing to discussions shaping the future direction of the industry across multiple markets.

From Central Asia and Asia-Pacific to the United Kingdom and the Gulf region, the group's growing international engagement reflects its ambition to play an active role in supporting the continued evolution of global Islamic finance.

Upcoming IFN Forum 2026 participation

Hejaz's participation in the IFN Forum 2026 series began at the IFN Uzbekistan Forum on 12 May, where Hakan Ozyon spoke on Islamic Asset Management and the company exhibited at booth 1.

The group will continue its engagement at the IFN UK Forum on 7 September, where Ozyon will discuss Sharia-Compliant Pensions and Hejaz will exhibit at booth 12. This will be followed by the IFN Oman Forum on 14 September, where he will speak on Public Markets, with Hejaz exhibiting at booth 3.

On 17 September, Ozyon will participate in the IFN Qatar Dialogues, presenting on Igniting Growth in Islamic Asset Management, while Hejaz will be located at booth 2.

Later in the year, Muzzammil Dhedhy will represent the group at the IFN Pakistan Forum on 28 October, speaking on Digital Pakistan, with Hejaz exhibiting at booth 6.

The November program includes the IFN Turkiye Dialogues on 16 November, where Ozyon will speak on Transforming Participation Asset Management and Hejaz will exhibit at booth 5, followed by the IFN KSA Dialogues on 18 November, where he will discuss Innovating Islamic Investments and Hejaz will be located at booth 3.

Hejaz's IFN Forum 2026 participation will conclude at the IFN Kuwait Dialogues on 24 November, where Ozyon will speak on Islamic Asset Management. Booth details for the Kuwait event are yet to be confirmed.

For more information about the IFN Forum 2026 series, visit the official IFN website.