The 13th Islamic Economics and Finance Summit, organized by the Research Center for Islamic Economics (IKAM) affiliated with the İLKE Foundation, was held on October 28, 2025, at Boğaziçi University Albert Long Hall.

In the opening speeches of the summit, Dr. Melih Turan, Director of the Research Center for Islamic Economics, emphasized that while Islamic economics studies are developing rapidly, systemic problems still persist. He also highlighted the institutionalization of zakat. İLKE Foundation Chairman of the Board, Atty. Ahmet Sait Öner stated, "Türkiye is on its way to becoming a center for financial inclusion; our goal is to build a system that values labor and offers permanent solutions to structural problems." Prof. Dr. Servet Bayındır, Board Member of Vakıf Katılım, emphasized that Türkiye has the potential to become the center of Islamic finance and therefore needs comprehensive legislation, primarily in social finance areas. Dr. Melikşah Utku, Member of the Auditing Committee of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, underlined that value in Islamic economics has not only an individual but also a moral and social dimension. Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, said, "The long-term goal of the Istanbul Finance Center is to make Türkiye a financial center on an international scale."

Following the opening speeches, in-depth discussions were held on topics addressed from different perspectives by the academy and the sector through panels held in parallel sessions in two different halls.

Distinguished speakers from both the academy and the sector who participated in the panels shared the knowledge, strategies, and practical experiences necessary to turn the potential in the field of Islamic economics into reality.

Islamic Economics Awards Found Their Owners

At the summit, studies conducted in the field of Islamic economics were awarded. The Islamic Economics Thesis Award was presented to Dr. Safa Yıldıran for her thesis titled "Budgetary Impacts of Zakat Potential and Tax Reforms in Türkiye: An Islamic Economics Perspective." The study examines the sustainability of public revenues from an Islamic economics perspective in the face of the increasing social, economic, and political responsibilities of modern states. The Islamic Economics Application Award was presented to the ÖNDER Imam Hatip Alumni Association for their "Finans Genç Project." The project deemed worthy of the award aims to help young people gain awareness in this field by studying Islamic finance and to train individuals who will create Islamic finance products compatible with international markets. Adopting an integration-oriented approach, this project seeks to combine classical Islamic finance with elements of contemporary financial technology (fintech). The Islamic Economics Research Award was presented to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Necmeddin Güney for his article titled "Maqāsid al-Sharī ‘a in Islamic Finance: A Critical Analysis of Modern Discourses," published in Religion, a highly significant and sought-after journal in the social sciences. This study makes a unique contribution to the literature by filling the gap regarding the quality of work on maqasid (objectives of Sharia). The Islamic Economics Contribution Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Hamdi Döndüren. The recipient is one of the key figures who has stood out for many years in the field of Islamic Economics and Finance, bridging the gap between Islamic law (fiqh / Sharia law) and Islamic economics/finance in Türkiye, and offering original contributions at the intersection of these two disciplines.

Participation Finance Stood Out at the Summit

Throughout the panels held during the summit, the participation of the finance sector was examined from various perspectives. Dr. Tarık Akın, Head of the Participation Finance Department at the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Finance Office, stated, "Wealth inequality is different from income inequality, and it negatively affects growth by causing serious problems at both economic and societal levels."

İsmail Vural, Secretary General of the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye, emphasized that the greatest need for participation finance in the upcoming period is to build a holistic ecosystem by overcoming obstacles. Fatma Çınar, Deputy Secretary General of the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye, added, "The most important step for the development of Islamic finance is to correctly explain how the system works and to create awareness."

Prof. Dr. Tastaftiyan Risfandy from Sebelas Maret University highlighted that interest-based financial systems deepen the economic gap between high-income and low-income individuals. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Faruk Aysan from Hamad Bin Khalifa University underscored that Islamic economics should not be limited only to topics specific to Muslims, but must also encompass international economic issues. Dr. Mohamad Hammour from Guidance Capital stated, "In this challenging period, the need is not unique to Muslims; it is for Islamic Economics for all of humanity."