KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as Finance Minister, was honoured with the Global Islamic Finance Leadership Award 2025 in recognition of his pivotal role in advancing Islamic finance.
In his Global Islamic Finance (GIFA) Laureate speech yesterday, Anwar said the success of Islamic finance should not only be measured by the size of its assets but also by its ability to transform lives and secure the future.
“In shaa Allah, we will continue to strengthen the role of Islamic finance in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, and we will nurture the next generation of ethica leaders.
Ethical generation, meaning generation that leaders can believe in values, in ethical principles, who will carry the mission of the future,” he said.
The GIFA Award is regarded as a prestigious label of excellence that recognises governments, institutions and individuals for outstanding achievements in ensuring the sustainability of Islamic banking and finance within the global financial system.
Established in 2011 by Edbiz Corporation as part of its advocacy for Islamic finance, GIFA celebrates the contributions of individuals, institutions and governments in promoting the sector while reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility.
Anwar further stressed that the principles of Maqasid Shariah, which emphasise fairness, risksharing and reducing exploitation, must remain the cornerstone of Islamic finance, offering timeless guidance.
He noted that more players including bankers, central bankers and policymakers are now becoming increasingly assertive in advancing Islamic finance as part of the wider economic framework.
Sustained momentum, he added, would empower Islamic finance to address pressing issues such as inequality, poverty and marginalisation, which remain more acute in the Muslim world.
Anwar also highlighted the importance of expanding Islamic finance through sustainable infrastructure, digital platforms and social finance tools such as zakat and waqf, alongside innovative instruments like green sukuk to support global inclusion and sustainable growth. – BERNAMA
