UK to be first non-Muslim country to host Islamic Economic Forum

Britain has the largest Islamic banking sector outside the Middle East and Asia Photo: Getty Images
Britain has the largest Islamic banking sector outside the Middle East and Asia Photo: Getty Images
London will host the ninth World Islamic Economic Forum in October, the first time that the event will be held outside of a Muslim country, as the British capital looks to become a global hub for Sharia finance.

More than 1,500 delegates, including government and business leaders, as well as scholars, will descend on London for the three-day event, which sets out to boost trade partnerships between Islamic and European markets.

“Hosting this prestigious conference… presents huge opportunities to promote London as a world beating business hub, highlighting our status as a major centre of Islamic finance and as a compelling destination for foreign investors,” Mayor of London Boris Johnson said in comments posted on the event’s website.

Britain has the largest Islamic banking sector outside the Middle East and Asia, the website said.

The World Islamic Economic Forum is organised by the Kuala Lumpur-based WIEF Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation, AFP reported.

Previous forums have been held in Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan.