Al Baraka Symposium 46: Experts from 18 countries discuss the philanthropy economy in the city
Economic experts and scholars from across the Islamic world are turning their attention to Madinah, where the 46th Al-Barakah Symposium on Islamic Economics will commence tomorrow, Monday. This prominent event will be held at Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University under the strategic theme "The Charitable Sector in the Islamic Economy: Towards a New Future," from February 9th to 11th, 2026.
A long-established global platform with a rich history
The Al Baraka Symposium is not a mere passing event, but rather an extension of an intellectual and economic legacy spanning more than four decades. This pioneering platform was founded by the late Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, who possessed a profound vision that Islamic economics is not simply a set of financial transactions, but a comprehensive civilizational project aimed at serving humanity. This session reaffirms the continuity of this approach, with the participation of a distinguished group of dignitaries, financial thought leaders, decision-makers, and representatives of financial and development institutions from 18 countries, making it one of the largest intellectual and economic gatherings in the region.
Philanthropy economy: A pillar of sustainable development
This year's symposium is of exceptional importance due to its theme, which redefines the "philanthropic sector." Instead of viewing it as a supplementary charitable activity, the symposium seeks to establish it as a genuine and dynamic economic sector. Across six main sessions and more than 20 scholarly topics, experts will discuss how traditional Islamic economic instruments such as zakat, waqf, sadaqah, and interest-free loans can be transformed into powerful engines for sustainable development, promoting social stability and achieving economic justice in societies.
Innovation and youth empowerment
In a move that keeps pace with the demands of the times, the symposium places special emphasis on bridging tradition with modernity by focusing on financial and technological innovation. Professor Abdullah Saleh Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, explained that investing in youth and innovation are the cornerstones of this economy's future. In this context, the events include an interactive session titled "Bridges of Research and Application," sponsored by the Saleh Kamel Award for Islamic Economics, which aims to empower young researchers to present their ideas to experts. Additionally, there is the "Young Researchers Hosting Grant," which seeks to cultivate a new generation of economists capable of leading the way in developing Islamic finance tools.
Strategic partnerships and institutional integration
The symposium's organization reflects a model of integration across different sectors, with Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University as the host partner, a global partnership with Al Baraka Group, and a media partnership with the Iqraa platform. This collaboration between academic institutions, the private sector, and media organizations aims to maximize the impact of the symposium's outcomes and translate theoretical recommendations into practical applications that serve national economies and support the non-profit sector.
