The 20th International Shariah Scholars Forum in Islamic Finance (ISSF2025) will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a country at the forefront of embracing Islamic finance. With the government actively establishing regulatory frameworks to facilitate the adoption of Islamic finance, banks in Uzbekistan are preparing to introduce Islamic windows and transition towards full-fledged Islamic banking operations. This pivotal event is set to accelerate the country’s progress in Islamic finance by fostering partnerships, encouraging best practices and knowledge sharing, as well as building capacity across the industry.

The forum will explore effective strategies for transitioning towards Shariah-compliant models while addressing operational challenges and ensuring alignment with best practices and Shariah objectives. Additionally, it will delve into the dynamics of Islamic finance within dual banking systems, analyzing the interplay between conventional and Islamic banks, promoting Shariah harmonization, and identifying opportunities for economic resilience in mixed economies.

As a high-level platform, ISSF2025 will bring together prominent Shariah scholars, regulators, standard-setting bodies, industry practitioners, and academicians from leading Islamic finance jurisdictions. It aims to enhance the transparency and consistency in processes for Islamic products and services, address discrepancies in Shariah interpretations, and propose innovative frameworks to advance the global Islamic finance industry.

Hosting ISSF2025 in Uzbekistan, a rising hub for Islamic finance in Central Asia, underscores the nation’s aspirations to establish itself as a key player in the global Islamic finance landscape. This forum will not only highlight Uzbekistan’s regulatory and institutional advancements but also provide a platform for cross-border collaboration, strengthening the shared vision of advancing Shariah-compliant banking worldwide.