Brunei Institute of Leadership & Islamic Finance (BILIF) hosted the Syariah Advisory Forum (SAF) recently which was attended by industry practitioners from both government and private organisations, local and regionally.
The forum, themed “Strategic Syariah Advisory for Ethical and Sustainable Islamic Finance,” brought together prominent Syariah scholars, practitioners, and industry experts to explore strategic Syariah decision-making within Islamic financial institutions. Anchored in the principles of Maqasid al-Syariah, the forum aims to promote ethical, sustainable, and commercially viable outcomes in the evolving landscape of Islamic finance.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Afero Eswandy Mohamad, Acting Chief Executive Officer of BILIF. In his address, he expressed his hope for the Syariah Advisory Forum to inspire open and forward-looking discussions where Syariah is viewed not merely as a set of rules but as a source of strategic guidance in decision-making. He also underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that Islamic finance continues to uphold its ethical foundations while driving meaningful and sustainable impact for communities and the wider world. He reminded participants that “our financial decisions are not only about profitability, but also about fairness, responsibility, and sustainability.”
The event continued with a special presentation by Dr Mohd Hairul Azrin bin Haji Besar, Member of Syariah Financial Supervisory Board (SFSB). This was followed by a panel discussion entitled “Syariah Leadership in Islamic Finance: Aligning Global Syariah Standards with Strategic Decision-Making”, featuring Ustaz Ahmad Suhaimi bin Yahya, Regional Head, Syariah Advisory & Governance, CIMB Islamic Bank; Marjan Muhammad (PhD, CSA), Deputy President Research, ISRA Institute, INCEIF University; Ustaz Mohd Nazri bin Chik, Group Chief Social Finance Officer, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad; and moderated by Dr Mohd Hairul Azrin.
The forum also featured a special presentation entitled “From Rules to Principles: Evaluating Compliance Approaches in Islamic Sustainable Finance”, presented by Ustaz Mohd Nazri bin Chik. This was followed by a panel discussion with the theme “Embedding Maqasid Syariah in ESG: The Role of Syariah Advisory Boards in Shaping Ethical Sustainability,” moderated by Awang Muhammad Zul Hamzi Faiz bin Haji Zali, Manager, Syariah Risk Specialist function at Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), who was joined by Ustaz Ahmad Suhaimi bin Yahya; Marjan Muhammad (PhD, CSA); and Ustaz Mohd Nazri bin Chik.
BILIF, as the Centre of Excellence for the finance industry in Brunei Darussalam, continues to pursue its mission to shape future leaders, experts, and innovators, particularly in the areas of Islamic finance and leadership through immersive programmes and world-class events. For more information on BILIF, please visit the BILIF website at www.bilif.com.bn or BILIF’s Instagram @BILIF.bn.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
