Global business leaders gather in London for Islamic economy gala

The 6th Global Business Excellence Gala brought business, academic and institutional leaders to London’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower on Oct. 13, 2026, for talks on ethical leadership, Islamic finance and cross-border collaboration. Speakers pressed for partnerships that turn shared values into practical projects for communities and businesses.

Why it matters: - The gala centered the Islamic economy as a framework for business ties, community investment and long-term development. - The event connected leaders from banking, investment, academia, technology and public institutions across multiple countries. - Speakers tied ethical leadership to practical outcomes, including education, healthcare, youth support and productive investment.

What happened: - The 6th Global Business Excellence Gala took place at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London on Oct. 13, 2026. - The gathering brought together distinguished guests, business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs and institutional წარმომადგენatives. - H.E. Mr. Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary General of AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, welcomed guests and opened the evening. - Dr. Yahya Hendi, Director for Muslim Life at Georgetown University, delivered a keynote on cooperation, economic coordination and building networks for shared prosperity. - Dr. Nabil Qaddoumi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Taawon Association, Palestine, spoke about business leaders’ responsibility to improve lives through collective action. - H.E. Mr. Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, addressed halal and tayyib principles, Islamic finance and waqf. - The gala was attended by HRH Prince AbdulAziz bin Abdul Majeed Al Saud; Hon. Shakeel Mohamed, Minister of Housing and Lands, Mauritius; H.E. Ambassador O. Koray Ertaş, Turkish Ambassador to the United Kingdom; and H.E. Dato’ Indera Dr. Azfar Mohamad Mustafar.

The details: - Dr. Hendi said leaders should connect global perspectives with local action. - He framed his message around ta’arafu, ta’awanu and tanafasu, or getting to know one another, cooperating in good and competing in good. - Dr. Hendi urged entrepreneurs to “compete with one another, not against each other” in doing good. - Dr. Qaddoumi said business leaders have a moral and ethical duty to use collective action to improve lives. - Taawon has invested USD 1 billion in people through education, healthcare, youth development and support for vulnerable communities. - Taawon’s endowment and generations fund are part of its long-term sustainability model. - Dr. Qaddoumi closed with the line: “Turn ideas into action to deliver hope to humanity.” - H.E. Mr. Erdoğan paid tribute to the late Sheikh Saleh Kamel’s role in Islamic finance. - He said halal and tayyib principles should guide production, trade and investment, not just product labeling. - He said the legitimacy of income matters as much as the halal status of food. - He said Islamic finance instruments should be seen as ways of doing business, not only as access to finance. - He highlighted waqf, or charitable endowments, as a tool for community support. - He called for partnerships among entrepreneurs, financial institutions and development partners to turn ideas into productive projects. - He pointed to innovation and responsible use of resources as part of that effort. - Attendees from the investment and banking community included Salim Arda Ermut, Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, Malek Khodr Temsah, Muhammad Nassir Salim, Dr. Bilal Sucubaşı, Haytham Kamhiyah and Dr. Akram ElDeeb. - Representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia, Al Rayan Bank, Libyan Foreign Bank, BACB, Arab National Bank, Maybank Investment Bank, The Bank of Punjab, Gatehouse Bank and TAJBank also attended. - Executives from fintech, investment and other business sectors were present as well. - The event was supported by Albaraka Türk Participation Bank as Official Gala Partner, Anadolu Agency as Global Communication Partner, and Arab Bank Europe and Libya Africa Investment Portfolio as Premium Sponsors.

Between the lines: - The program positioned Islamic business principles as a practical network for capital, social impact and international cooperation. - The speaker lineup and attendance suggest the gala aimed to link Gulf, Turkish, European, African and Asian financial communities. - The emphasis on endowments, community development and responsible finance points to a broader message: profitability and public benefit were presented as compatible goals.

What's next: - The gathering is likely to support new relationships among banks, investors, universities and development organizations. - Speakers signaled continued interest in turning shared values into partnerships, projects and financing structures. - The event’s sponsors and partners appear positioned to keep advancing collaboration across the global Islamic economy.

The bottom line: - The London gala used high-level convening to argue that Islamic finance, ethical business and community development can move together through cross-border cooperation.