Beirut: The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), in collaboration with the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA), successfully organized a virtual webinar titled "General Concepts and Applications of Islamic Finance: An Introduction for Journalists".
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, this webinar was held as part of the ongoing cooperation between the two institutions, following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed to strengthen collaboration and promote knowledge sharing between the Islamic finance and media sectors.
The webinar aimed to enhance participants' understanding of the key concepts and applications of Islamic finance, as well as its role within the global financial system. It also provided insights into the main instruments of Islamic finance, including sukuk, equities, and investment funds, while highlighting Shariah compliance frameworks and the sector's contribution to sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Additionally, the session explored the intersection between Islamic finance and media, emphasizing the importance of accurate and informed reporting.
In his remarks, Mr. Hamza K. Bawazir, Secretary General of CIBAFI, stated: "This webinar reflects CIBAFI's forward-looking vision in positioning the media as a strategic partner in advancing the Islamic financial services industry. We firmly believe that public awareness is a key driver of growth and development, and that meaningful progress is shaped by understanding and responding to the evolving needs of audiences. Our collaboration with the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) comes as part of a proactive approach to strengthening the media ecosystem, enabling more accurate, informed, and impactful coverage of Islamic finance. Empowering media professionals with specialized knowledge is not only essential for enhancing the quality of reporting, but also for fostering greater transparency, building public trust, and supporting the sustainable development of the industry."
Similarly, Mr. Muhammad bin Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, Director General of UNA, commented: "This initiative forms part of UNA's broader efforts to equip journalists across OIC member states with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively cover specialized and evolving sectors. Islamic finance represents a key pillar of economic development in many of our member countries, and enhancing media understanding of its principles and applications is essential to ensuring accurate reporting and greater public engagement. We value this collaboration with CIBAFI as a strategic step towards strengthening the role of media in supporting sustainable development."
The webinar featured a distinguished panel of industry experts, including Mr. Majed Gharsalli, Head of Shariah Compliance and Audit at Zitouna Bank, Tunisia; Dr. Hatim Tahir, Managing Partner at Sukukspace, UAE; and Mr. Rachid Ettaai, Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Operations at CIBAFI. The session brought together a diverse audience of media professionals, representatives of OIC institutions, and individuals with a keen interest in Islamic finance and media.
CIBAFI and UNA will continue to collaborate on initiatives that support capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and the development of both the Islamic finance industry and media sector.