AFTER seven years since its last conduct, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim is reviving the International Islamic Finance Conference (IIFC) with the 5th in its series happening on Feb. 2-3, 2026, in Bonifacio Hall, Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, featuring top global experts.
“Islamic finance is not only for Muslims but is open to all. As the Philippines hosts the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit this 2026, the NCMF is pleased to announce the 5th IIFC as the country’s premier platform for advancing Islamic finance and banking in the country,” said Abdurahim.
He said that this is rooted in the mandate of the NCMF under Republic Act No. 9997 to “initiate or organize enterprises based on the principles of Islamic business and finance” and to “receive by way of grant, donations or gifts, awqaf investments in accordance with the principles of Islamic investments and finance.”
Abdurahim said that the upcoming conduct of the 5th IIFC, under the Department of Foreign Affairs’ International Commitment Fund, is a milestone that reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to financial inclusion and sustainable, values-based development.
He assured that the Commission is fully aligned with the vision of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla for an inclusive growth and nation-building during the latter’s 2026 New Year’s Call on Jan. 21 held in the Philippine National Police Camp Crame.
Meanwhile, NCMF executive director Tahir S. Lidasan, Jr. said during the “DILG Media Forum” on Thursday at the Philippine Public Safety College Head Office, Quezon City, “The IIFC will be attended by numerous financial stakeholders, such as from the Middle East, United Kingdom, and the ASEAN countries. It aims to promote and strengthen the Philippine financial economy”.
The two-day conference, with the theme “Philippines as a Rising Hub: Strengthening the Islamic Finance Ecosystem for ASEAN Integration and Inclusive Growth”, is led by NCMF Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs (BMEA) director Saleha P. Sacar. “It is expected to gather around 300 local and international participants, including policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, academics, and industry practitioners,” she said.
“The conference aims to convene policymakers, bank regulators, legislators, and the executive branch to discuss how Islamic banking and finance can contribute to the development of the Philippine capital market,” Sacar added.
Among the guest speakers will be the governors of Bank Negara Malaysia, the Central Bank of Indonesia, the Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Since its inception in 2015, the IIFC has played a pivotal role in shaping the Islamic finance landscape in the Philippines. Past conferences contributed to ASEAN integration efforts, strengthened Islamic social finance and microfinance initiatives, supported Halal industry development, and culminated in the enactment of Republic Act No. 11439, which established the regulatory framework for Islamic banking and finance in the country. The second IIFC was held in 2016; the third in 2017 and 2018; and the fourth in 2019.
With 11 NCMF regional offices nationwide, Abdurahim said that the Commission continues to ensure that initiatives on livelihood, trade, Halal development, and Islamic finance reach the grassroots, leaving no Muslim Filipino behind in the pursuit of financial inclusion.
“The 5th IIFC is a platform where ideas converge, partnerships are strengthened, and a faith-driven finance system advances inclusive and sustainable national development,” said Abdurahim.
Sacar shared her expected result of the 5th IIFC. “I am looking forward to arriving at an output in the form of a joint declaration on how we can establish a Shari’ah-compliant Islamic financial ecosystem framework in the Philippines,” she said.
