MADINAH — The 46th Al Baraka Symposium on Islamic Economics will begin on Monday in Madinah, bringing together leading scholars, policymakers and financial experts from 18 countries to discuss the role of philanthropy in shaping the future of Islamic economic systems.Held under the theme “Philanthropy and Benevolence in the Islamic Economy: Toward a New Future,” the three-day symposium will run from Feb. 9 to 11, 2026, at Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University’s women’s campus.The event is organized by the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economy and is considered one of the region’s largest intellectual and economic gatherings dedicated to Islamic finance.The symposium is hosted by Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University as the official host partner, with Al Baraka Group participating as a global partner and the Iqraa platform serving as the media partner, reflecting collaboration between academic, intellectual and media institutions to promote Islamic economic thought.Established more than four decades ago, the Al Baraka Symposium is one of the world’s most prominent platforms for Islamic economics, playing a key role in advancing both its theoretical foundations and practical applications.Over the years, it has fostered dialogue among scholars, experts and decision-makers on contemporary economic challenges through a values-based and efficiency-driven approach.This year’s program includes six main sessions and more than 20 academic and applied discussion tracks, focusing on the economic role of philanthropy as an active contributor to development, social stability and economic justice.Topics will highlight core Islamic tools such as zakat, waqf, charitable giving, interest-free loans and volunteerism.Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of trustees of the Al Baraka Forum for Islamic Economy, said the symposium builds on a long-standing intellectual vision founded by the late Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, a pioneer of Islamic economics.He described Islamic economics as a comprehensive civilizational project rooted in values, measured by impact and aimed at serving humanity and achieving sustainable development.He added that this edition marks a pivotal moment by spotlighting philanthropy as a fundamental economic and developmental pillar capable of addressing modern economic and social challenges.Kamel stressed the importance of innovation and youth empowerment as key drivers of the future of Islamic economics.For his part, Al Baraka Forum Secretary-General Yousef Khalawi said the forum is a global intellectual institution that has contributed for decades to developing Islamic economic tools and linking academic theory with real-world practice through international initiatives and platforms.He noted that the theme of this year’s symposium reflects a strategic shift toward redefining philanthropy as a core economic component rather than a complementary activity, emphasizing its role in sustainable development, social impact and strengthening the contribution of the nonprofit sector to national economies.Discussions will also explore ways to modernize philanthropic tools through financial innovation, enhance the role of Islamic banks and financial institutions in deploying these tools, and promote integration between the financial and nonprofit sectors in line with Shariah principles.The symposium will place special emphasis on innovation, youth empowerment and social entrepreneurship, highlighting the use of modern technologies and innovative financing to expand the impact of charitable and developmental initiatives and transform them into sustainable economic projects.The program includes two specialized academic lectures and four applied workshops aimed at building institutional capacity, bridging theory and practice, and enhancing the skills of professionals in Islamic finance and economics.In support of scientific research and youth development, the symposium will host an interactive academic session titled “Bridges Between Research and Practice,” sponsored by the Saleh Kamel Award for Islamic Economics, giving young researchers the opportunity to present their work to senior academics and experts.The Al Baraka Forum will also sponsor the third edition of the Young Researchers Hosting Grant for 2026, enabling selected participants to attend the symposium, engage in scholarly dialogue and build professional networks to help nurture the next generation of Islamic economics specialists.