London to Host World Islamic Economic Forum in October

London– London will host the ninth World Islamic Economic Forum in October, organizers have announced, 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 Shariah 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 center 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 organized by the Kuala Lumpur-based WIEF Foundation — a not-for-profit organization.

The objective of the WIEF is to facilitate business amongst the Muslim World, promoting and encouraging profits that would eventually flow down to the much neglected peoples. Previous forums have been held in Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan.

The ninth edition will be held at London’s Excel Center between Oct. 29 and 31.