The 12th Doha Islamic Finance Conference is scheduled to take place in Doha on June 16, 2026, convening experts from Islamic finance, policymaking, academia, technology, and international organizations to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the global Islamic finance industry. The event will explore how emerging AI technologies, particularly agentic systems capable of autonomous decision-making and learning, are reshaping business models, governance, and operational processes within the sector.

Held under the patronage of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the conference will be hosted by Bait Al-Mashura Finance Consultations in strategic partnership with Dukhan Bank. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry serves as the official sponsor, while Dukhan Bank is the strategic partner. Additional support comes from the General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as the diamond sponsor, Qatar Financial Centre as the gold sponsor, and Damaan Islamic Insurance Company (Beema) as the bronze sponsor.

The conference will open with keynote speeches from prominent figures including Sheikh Muhammed bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani of Dukhan Bank; Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, chairman of the event’s higher organizing committee; Eng. Hassan Abdullah Al Marzouqi of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs; Hamed Ali Al-Saadi of the Qatar Financial Centre; and Prof. Dr. Koutoub Sano of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.

The first session, “Islamic Financial Institutions and the Application of Agentic Systems,” chaired by Dr. Osama Al-Deraei, will examine practical applications of AI in enhancing operational efficiency, risk management, and product development within Islamic finance institutions. Discussions will address Shariah compliance issues related to automated decision-making and liability obligations. Presenters include Dr. Chawki Tawbi from Google Cloud Qatar on AI technologies, Dr. Al-Ayashi Fadad of Marmara University on Shariah rulings, Dr. Andrew Mazen Dahdal of Qatar University on legal frameworks, and Dr. Mohammed Damak from S&P Global Ratings on smart sukuk and automated trading.

The second session, “The Evolution of Waqf under Agentic AI Systems,” chaired by Dr. Nawaf Fahad Al-Otaibi, will explore AI's role in managing Islamic endowments to improve transparency, governance, and investment strategies while ensuring adherence to Islamic principles. Speakers include Dr. Ahmed Saad Al-Boraie of Al-Azhar University, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Bayoumi of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Dr. Sazali Zainal Abidin of Sultan Qaboos University, and Eng. Haiyan Al-Saiyed, who will present on innovative crowdfunding models including those based on crypto assets.

The third session, “Virtual Influencers and Islamic Finance,” chaired by Qatari media personality Aqeel Al-Janahi, will focus on the rise of AI-generated digital personas and their potential uses in promoting Islamic financial services and charitable initiatives, alongside the legal, ethical, and Shariah considerations involved. Panelists include Nancy Heydari of Dream Farm Agency, Dr. Sha’ban Barwari of Qutoof Consulting, Dr. Fazal Rahim of Ajman Bank, content creator Swar Al-Dhahab Ali, and Dr. Othman Al-Thawadi of Qatar University.

The final session, “Zakat and Development in the Agentic AI Systems Environment,” chaired by Dr. Khaled Al-Otaibi of Kuwait University, will address how AI can optimize zakat management, beneficiary identification, and distribution processes to enhance fairness, transparency, and compliance. Presenters include Dr. Basheer Hizam Mahdi from Saudi Arabia, Dr. Mohammad Al-Fuzai of Kuwait University, Dr. Aam Slamet Rusydiana of Sakarya University, and Ahmed Youssef Fakhroo from Qatar Charity, who will share experiences with digital zakat platforms.

Since its inception in 2010, the Doha Islamic Finance Conference has become a key global forum for advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration on the challenges and opportunities within Islamic finance. This year’s emphasis on agentic AI systems highlights the growing commitment to integrating advanced technologies into Islamic financial ecosystems in ways that uphold ethical standards and Shariah principles. The conference aims to provide actionable insights for industry stakeholders on leveraging AI responsibly to drive innovation, sustainability, and resilience across the sector.