Mrs. Hesa Abdulla Al Sada is the Executive Director - Central Banking & Macro-Prudential Oversight at the Central Bank of Bahrain, she joined in 2007 and has held several positions in the services and banking operations sector at the Central Bank.
Mrs. Hesa Abdulla Al Sada is the Executive Director - Central Banking & Macro-Prudential Oversight at the Central Bank of Bahrain, she joined in 2007 and has held several positions in the services and banking operations sector at the Central Bank.
In addition to her current position as an Executive Director at the Central Bank of Bahrain, she is currently the Chairman of the Deposit Protection and Unrestricted Investment Accounts Board. She also represents the Central Bank of Bahrain in the Payment Systems Technical Committee of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Arab Committee for Payment and Settlement Systems at the Arab Monetary Fund.
Mrs. Hesa holds a bachelor’s degree in Management from Bentley University, and has been a Certified as a Financial Analyst (CFA) since 2012.
Mr. Affendi Rashdi is the Director General of Labuan Financial Services Authority, appointed in 2025. Mr. Affendi, served as the Chief Services Officer for Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), where he led the strategic vision and execution of the Bank’s Centralised Shared Services sector to ensure institutional excellence and the efficient delivery of services. Over the course of his career at BNM, Mr. Affendi held several pivotal roles, including Director of the Finance Department, Deputy Director and Manager of the Development Finance and Inclusion Department, as well as a core member of the Financial Sector Blueprint team. He also contributed significantly as a Board member of various BNM trust funds, including the Medical Trust Fund, INCEIF Trust Fund, Asian School of Business Trust Fund, and the Tun Ismail Ali Chair Trust Fund.
Currently, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Rufai is the Acting Chief Executive Officer as well as the Head of Shari‘ah Compliance and Standards Development for the Kingdom of Bahrain based international standard-setting body, the International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) for nearly fifteen (15) years, in addition to being a member of the Management Team focusing on the standardisation of Shari’ah-compliant financial contracts and product templates.
Dr. Ahmed is also a member of the Internal Shari’ah Supervisory Committee of the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), a member of Shari’ah Supervisory Board (SSB) Meethaq Islamic Bank -Bank Muscat, special Shari‘ah Advisor to the Waikato Muslim Association in Hamilton -New Zealand and a member of Halal Committee for the federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ).
At IIFM, Dr. Ahmed contributed significantly in the development and publication of sixteen (16) comprehensive documentation and product confirmation standards as well as related guidance notes that have been adopted by the Islamic Financial Institutions in many jurisdictions across four (4) key areas which are provided as following:
(i) Liquidity Management;
(ii) Hedging;
(iii) Sukuk;
(iv) Trade Finance; and
(v) IIFM Annual Sukuk Reports
Dr. Ahmed also contributed notably in preparing discussion papers for IIFM consultative meetings, as well as in the compilation of the IIFM Annual Sukuk Reports. In addition, I play the active roles in seminars, workshops and consultative meetings organized by IIFM in many jurisdictions worldwide.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Master Degree in Islamic Law of Transactions and Islamic Insurance (takaful) - Faculty of Shariah and Economics - University of Malaya, Malaysia – 2002.
- Ph.D. in Islamic Law of Transactions and Islamic Insurance (takaful) - Faculty of Shariah and Economics - University of Malaya, Malaysia - 2006.
Bachelor of Shari’ah
- Bachelor’s Degree in Shari‘ah (i.e., the Islamic Law) - Islamic University of Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -1993.
High/Secondary School
- High/Secondary School education from Al-Azhar and then continued studies in Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic History at the faculty of education - Al Azhar University Cairo, Egypt – 1981 - 1989.
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB):
As a Member of the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Internal Shariah Supervision Committee (ISSC), I have been advising FAB on various products such as Sukuk, treasury products, trade finance, Islamic syndications and bilateral Murabahah transactions.
Among others, my role is to review documentation and terms and conditions of the aforementioned products to ensure they are compatible with the rules and principles of Islamic Shari’ah, AAOIFI Shariah standards, Higher Shariah Authority resolutions and other relevant regulatory requirements in the UAE.
Meethaq Islamic Bank – Bank Muscat
As a Member of the Meethaq Islamic Bank -Bank Muscat Shari’ah Supervisory Board (SSB), I have been advising the Bank on various products such as Sukuk, treasury products, trade finance, Islamic syndications and bilateral Murabahah transactions etc.
Among others, my role is to review documentation and terms and conditions of the aforementioned products to ensure they are compatible with the rules and principles of Islamic Shari’ah and other relevant regulatory requirements in the Sultanate of Oman.
International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM):
Contributed to the development of the Islamic financial industry worldwide through working for nearly fifteen (15) years with IIFM focusing on the standardisation of Shari’ah-compliant financial contracts and product templates.
Participated in the preparation, market consultation and Shari’ah discussions with respected renowned scholars of the IIFM Shari’ah Board, for all these important standard master agreements in my capacity as head of Shari’ah compliance.
The Islamic finance industry has enthusiastically adopted these standards in their day-to-day activities which has significantly contributed in the continuous and meaningful progress in addressing the critical factors such as reducing costs, shortening negotiation time and minimizing operational risk arising from financial transactions through development of standard Shari’ah-compliant financial documentation and product confirmation.
The documents I have worked on includes Sukuk Documentations such as Sukuk Al-Ijarah and Sukuk al Mudarabah, Treasury Products’ Documentations such IPRS, ICCS, FX Forward based on TMA, and Money markets deposits…etc. The summary list of the standards is provided below:
List of IIFM Published Standard as of the Year 2022
Standard No. (1) - IIFM Master Agreements for Treasury Placement (MATP)
Standard No. (2) - ISDA/IIFM Tahawwut (Hedging) Master Agreement (TMA)
Standards No. (3 & 4) - ISDA/IIFM Mubadalatul Arbaah (Islamic Profit Rate Swap) – Single & Two Sales (PRS)
Standard No. (5) - Interbank Unrestricted Master Investment Wakalah Agreement (UMWA)
Standard No. (6) - Master Collateralized Murabahah Agreement (MCMA)
Standard No. (7) - Islamic Cross-Currency Swap (Wa'ad-based and involving a Two Sales structure Himaayah Min Taqallub As ‘aar Assarf (ICCS)
Standard No. (8) - Islamic Foreign Exchange Forward (Wiqayah Min Taqallub As'aar Assarf) (Single Binding Wa'ad based structure) (IFX)
Standard No. (9) - Islamic Foreign Exchange Forward (Wiqayah Min Taqallub As'aar Assarf)
Standard No. (10) - 2017 Credit Support Deed for Cash Collateral (VM)
Relating to the ISDA/IIFM Tahawwut Master Agreement (CSD)
Standard No. (11) - IIFM-BAFT Master Unfunded Participation Agreement for Trade Finance Transactions (MUPA)
Standard No. (12) - IIFM-BAFT Master Funded Participation Agreement for Trade Finance Transactions (MFPA)
Standard No. (13) - IIFM Sukuk Al Ijarah Standard Document Templates
Standard No. (14) - Perpetual Mudarabah Sukuk Tier1 (IIFM Sukuk Al Mudarabah Standard Document Templates)
Standard No. (15) - IIFM IBOR Transition Shari‘ah Compliant Structuring Solutions for Murabahah and Ijarah Transactions
Standard No. (16) - ISDA/IIFM Bilateral Amendment Agreement
Crescent Financing Company – New Zealand:
Shari‘ah Advisor to Crescent Financing Company in Hamilton, New Zealand, where I was responsible for ensuring Shari‘ah compliance of the company’s transactions and products.
Waikato Muslim Association – New Zealand:
Serving as a special Shari‘ah Advisor to the Waikato Muslim Association in Hamilton until today.
Hamilton Jami‘a Masjid/Mosque – New Zealand:
The Imam and Khatib of the Hamilton Jami‘a Masjid/Mosque
921 Heaphy Terrace, Claudelands, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand.
The federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ):
Halal Committee Member until today.
Saudi Arabia International School in Kuala Lumpur:
Islamic jurisprudence lecturer and person in charge of public relation affairs at the Saudi Arabia International School in Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia. For more than 10 years.
As an expert of the Islamic finance with academic background, I have published the below articles on various topics related to Islamic finance such as Shari’ah rulings and regulations for the issuance and trading of various types of Sukuk and Islamic Insurance. The full list of the publications is provided below:
- “The Adverse Impact of Riba (Interest) on Individual and Society: A Concise and Comprehensive Study”. Published by the Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
- “The Sources of Islamic Legislation and the Complete Recognition of the Independence of Thought in Islam”. Published by the ‘Alim Journal.
- “Islamic Economic System: Basic Principles and Fundamentals”. Published in the ‘Alim Journal.
- “Sukuk Al-Istithmar (An ‘Arabic Term of Investment Sukuk) – Meaning and Types” Published in the IIFM Annual Sukuk Report (3rd Edition).
- “Shari‘ah Rulings and Regulations for the Issuance and Trading of Sukuk Al-Ijarah” Published in the IIFM Annual Sukuk Report (7th Edition).
- “Shari‘ah Rulings and Regulations for the Issuance and Trading of Sukuk Al-Mudarabah/Al-Muqaradah”. Published in the IIFM Annual Sukuk Report (8th Edition).
- “Issuance, Trading and Redemption of Investment Sukuk”. Published in the IIFM Annual Sukuk Report (9th Edition).
- “IIFM Published Sukuk Standards - Al-Ijarah and Al-Mudarabah Tier 1: Considerations and Significance”. Published in the IIFM Annual Sukuk Report (10th Edition).
- “IIFM’s Role and Contribution in Facilitating Sukuk Development and Issuance Globally”. Published in the IIFM Annual Sukuk Report (11th Edition).
- “Exposing ‘Awrah for the Purpose of Medical Treatment: The Islamic Guidelines”. Published by International Islamic Information and Daawah Centre (IIDAC) Malaysia.
- “Theory and Application of Islamic Insurance”. “Getting Rid of Interest (Riba) Money Received from a Riba-Based Bank”. Zakah Payment: What Should be Done” etc.
اللهم صل وسلم وزد وبارك على نبينا وحبيبنا محمد. اللهم صل عليه وسلم
A leading authority in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance, Dr. Adnan Chilwan is widely seen as a driver of change and innovation and a key figure in the progression of this segment which is quickly evolving into a global phenomenon. With an extensive banking career spanning over two decades with both reputed conventional and Islamic banks in the region, he currently serves as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Islamic Bank, the world’s first Sharia compliant player and the largest Islamic Bank in UAE. With Group assets of in excess of USD 75bln, a market capitalization of over USD 11bln, and workforce of more than 9000 employees across a vast network of branches and entities in all emirates as well as the growing international operations in Asia, Middle East and Africa, he leads an organization which is fast being recognized as a formidable force in Islamic Finance and one of the most progressive institutions in the world today.
Renowned as a visionary and a resident expert in the field, Dr. Chilwan’s contribution to the development and advancement of the industry has been acknowledged by many notable regional and international organizations. Apart from being ranked amid the top CEOs in the region over the years, he is also positioned amongst the top 3 most powerful and influential Indian business leaders in the Arab world. Many attribute the tremendous turnaround of DIB in the recent past to his astute business acumen and uncanny ability to carve out opportunities in the most challenging times. A regular contributor with articles and blogs, Dr. Chilwan has developed a keen following leading to him being recognized by LinkedIn as the “Most Social Executive” consecutively for 2016 and 2017 for his continuous, inspirational and engaging input on the professional platform.
His key role in the transformation of the organization he leads into what is today undoubtedly seen as a modern and progressive face of Islamic finance earned him the ‘Banking Innovation Award’ two years in a row, at the 2017 & 2018 Indian Innovator Awards, during the Entrepreneur of the Year Annual Awards ceremony. With such a plethora of accolades, it is no wonder that, Dr. Chilwan was voted the ‘Islamic Banker of the Year’ at the Islamic Business and Finance Awards 2018 for the third consecutive year and the coveted ‘Outstanding contribution to the Islamic Economy’ award at the Islamic Business & Finance Awards 2019, by CPI Financial, along with the prestigious “Excellence in Global Islamic Finance & Banking Award” in 2018, accorded by the organization to individuals who have truly made a legacy in their respective fields.
Recently ranked as the #1 “Top Indian Leader making an impact in the Middle East Award 2019 ” and ranked #7 at the “Top 50 International CEOs Heading Local Companies”, by ForbesME, the awards follow his dominance at the Pride of the Nation Series Awards and Business Summit by AsiaOne Magazine in India where he was awarded the prestigious ‘Global Indian of the Year 2018’ in the Global Leadership Category. This year also saw him being recognized with the “CEO Leadership Achievement Award 2019” by The Asian Banker. Dr. Chilwan was also honoured with the Leadership Excellence Award at the recent BME Last updated: Dec 26, 2019
Industry Awards 2019, another testament to the respect and admiration he commands in the industry. Dr. Chilwan represents DIB in boards of various strategic investments, subsidiaries and associates including holding the prestigious position of President Commissioner at PT Bank Panin Dubai Syariah TBK whilst also serving as the Chairman at DIB Bank Kenya Ltd, amongst others. He continues to drive the proliferation of Islamic finance through his consultative role to governments and related bodies within and outside the UAE as well as through numerous forums and seminars in various educational institutions, including University of Cambridge, UK, City University of London and Skyline University to name a few.
A passionate cricketer and an avid sportsman, Dr. Chilwan has a PhD and a MBA in Marketing to his credentials. He is a Certified Islamic Banker (CeIB), a Post Graduate in Islamic Banking & Insurance and an Associate Fellow Member in Islamic Finance Professionals Board.
Dr. Dadang Muljawan is currently an Executive Director, Islamic Economics and Finance Department at Bank Indonesia, and previously as a Vice-Chancellor of the Planning, Finance, and Business Development of UIII and. He holds a BSc in Engineering Physics from Bandung Institute of Technology, an MBA from PPM Graduate School of Management, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Loughborough University, UK. His areas of interest cover financial supervision and regulations, financial assessment both at the micro and macro level, and Islamic economics and finance. He has been exposed to more than 20 years of experience in the Central Bank of Indonesia as an economic researcher, was involved in a number of the IFSB Working Groups and joined the IFSB when developing the prudential database for Financial Soundness Indicators (FSI). His research appears in various journals including Buletin Ekonomi Moneter dan Perbankan, Applied Financial Economics Journal of International Banking Regulations, etc.
Mr Mardini joined Brunei Darussalam Central Bank in 2011. He is currently the Assistant Managing Director, Monetary Operations, overseeing the central bank’s currency management, monetary management, payment and settlement systems and reserve management.
He started his career at Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) in 2002, where he spent almost 10 years covering bonds, equity, and foreign exchange, including at BIA’s London Office (2003-2007). He underwent an internship program at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., the oldest and one of the largest private banks in the U.S., in New York (2007-2008). Mr Mardini was also posted at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC as a Senior Advisor in the South East Asia Constituency (2016).
With more than 20 years of experience in finance and investment, his expertise is mainly in macroeconomics, fixed income, foreign exchange, commodities and equity. Mardini is currently a member of various committees within the central bank including the Financial and Monetary Stability Committee, Islamic Finance Development Committee, Sustainable Finance Task Force and Central Bank Digital Currency Working Group. He is also a Board Member and Member of the Brunei Institute of Leadership and Islamic Finance (BILIF).
Mardini graduated with a BA in Business Administration from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, and holds a Diploma in Management from University of Kent at Canterbury, U.K.
Khurram is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Head Group Islamic Products at Standard Chartered Saadiq – the Global Islamic Banking business of Standard Chartered Bank.
As a career Islamic Banker, Khurram has more than two decades of core Islamic banking experience across Consumer, Wealth Management, Private Banking, Transaction Banking and Financial Markets. He has led the development and roll out of the bank's Islamic banking proposition across SCB footprint in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe and North America. He has been an active contributor to the Islamic banking industry and regularly provides advice to regulators and industry bodies. Khurram is proud to have worked alongside some of the top scholars in Islamic Finance industry.
Standard Chartered Saadiq offers a wide suite of product capabilities and award-winning solutions to our Corporate, Institutional, Consumer, Business and Private Banking clients across the Standard Chartered network. Since inception the business has won over 400+ internationally recognized industry awards.
Khurram holds an MBA from Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Pakistan and successfully passed CFA examination from CFA Institute, Charlottesville, USA. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in classical Islamic jurisprudence.
Mr. Hammad Hassan is currently the Managing Director & CEO for Bank ABC Islamic and Group Head of Islamic Banking for Bank ABC.
Mr. Hammad has over twenty five years of banking experience in Corporate & Consumer Banking, Global Transaction Services and Islamic Finance. He has been with Bank ABC Islamic since 2005. Prior to joining Bank ABC, Mr. Hammad worked for over eleven years with Citigroup and its affiliate in Saudi Arabia, Samba Financial Group. Mr. Hammad joined Citigroup in Pakistan in 1994 and moved to Samba Financial Group in 1997. In 2005, Mr. Hammad joined Bank ABC Islamic as the Head of Coverage. In his current role, he is the Global Head for Islamic Banking for ABC Group as well as the Managing Director for Bank ABC Islamic, Bahrain.
Mr. Hammad holds a Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering.
Khalid Ismaili Idrissi joined the Islamic Development Bank 2007. He is currently the Manager of the Legal Operations in IsDB. With over 16 years of experience in the Islamic Banking including project finance, public private partnership, equity investment, Shariah compliant investment funds, treasury transactions and sukuk issuances, he led and contributed to the development of several structured financing products and generally the development of the private sector financing practice within the Bank.
He holds a Ph.D, Executive MBA and LL.M. He is also Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA) by the AAOIFI.
Central Bank of Sudan.
Mr. Saud Alkhudhair is considered as an expert in Shariah corporate governance, Shariah compliance, and Islamic finance. He currently serves as Head of Shariah Division at The Saudi National Bank (SNB), where he leads the development and implementation of Shariah governance frameworks, regulatory compliance structures, and product development aligned with Islamic principles. With a Master’s degree in Islamic Banking and Finance from the University of Wales, Bangor, he brings over a decade of specialized experience in bridging Shariah requirements with modern banking operations.
Mr. Saud is widely recognized for his ability to formulate effective governance policies, advise on innovative Shariah-compliant product structures, and ensure alignment with regulatory authorities such as SAMA and the Capital Market Authority. His deep understanding of internal controls, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, combined with a strategic mindset and strong interpersonal communication skills, positions him as a key contributor to the development of the Islamic finance industry on both institutional and international levels.
Mr. Ali who joined the Banking industry in 1980 has gained a wide knowledge and comprehensive international experience in both Conventional and Islamic Banking that enable him to effectively manage one of the most active international branches of one of the largest and the best Bank in the Middle East.
Ali is very active and directly involved in the Islamic Banking since 1980, and has developed and structured various Sharia compliance products, financial solutions and documentations that has served the industry since 1980 and established the base for today’s Islamic Banking and Liquidity Management.
Ali is currently the General Manager of National Bank of Kuwait SAK (NBK) Kingdom of Bahrain since 1990 and his major achievements including and not limited to the restructure of NBK’s Conventional Wholesale Branch, the incorporation of the Conventional Retail Branch, the merger of both branches and the establishment of NBK’s Islamic Banking. He is currently managing an asset over BHD2 billion that generating revenue of 150 million with an operation and activity that covering the MENA region. During the last 20 years, he is directly involved in the Group strategic expansion and remarkably contributed to the Group’s performance.
Ali has graduated from the University of Bahrain, attended various courses and seminars in different worldwide Universities and Institutions that has substantially enhanced his knowledge and widened his experience to become a multi task professional who is familiar with International Banking Practices and Regulatory Framework.
Mr. Salah Sharif is Chief Administrative Officer at GFH Financial Group, a key player in the strategic as well as day-to-day management of the Group’s core corporate support functions. In addition, he is responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of operational excellence are achieved for the Group’s Special Purpose Vehicles and Project companies. He also serves as a Board member in several project/operating companies that fall under the GFH Financial Group brand.
An industry veteran with over 30 years of international exposure and experience in both conventional and Islamic financial institutions, Mr. Salah is conversant with industry best practices in all aspects of commercial, wholesale banking, and in the industrial and infrastructure advisory sector.
Prior to his appointment at GFH, Mr. Salah was the CEO of Cemena Holding Company (CHC), an industrial subsidiary of the Group which was one of the largest cement holding companies in the MENA region. Previous to this, he held a number of senior roles in leading, global financial institutions, including Operations and Facilities Manager, Middle East & North Africa at American Express in Bahrain and at Standard Chartered Bank in Bahrain where he held various managerial and executive positions including Head of Operations. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Wales, UK.
Mr. Rami Falah is the General Manager of BNP Paribas Bahrain Conventional Retail Branch (CRB) and the Head of Islamic Banking of BNP Paribas Middle East & Africa.
He has over 20 years of experience in international banking. He started his career with Arab Bank in 1996 in the credit department, before becoming a Relationship Manager within the financial institutions department. In 2004, he joined BNP Paribas as a Senior Relationship Manager before becoming the Head of Islamic Banking in 2006. In 2021, he was appointed General Manager of BNP Paribas Bahrain Conventional Retail Branch in addition to his position as Head of Islamic Banking.
Mr. Rami Falah has closely been involved with the execution and marketing of Islamic transactions with different business lines of BNP Paribas. As the Head of Islamic banking, he worked on landmark international deals, overseeing everything from product design to delivery.
He holds a Masters Degree in Finance from International Capital Market Association (ICMA), UK.
Mr. Bassam Alali is the Deputy Group CEO – Treasury & Investments at Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain, where he oversees treasury and investment activities with a focus on profit-rate and liquidity risk management, funding optimization, and Sukuk investment portfolio. He is a member of senior management and key governance committees, contributing to enterprise-level decision making and risk oversight.