Forum to boost women's entrepreneurship, the Shariah way

A forum to create awareness on Islamic finance opportunities and enhance entrepreneurship development among Muslim women is planned for this weekend.

Organized by Afifa Events, the event, themed “The Missing Half-Unblocking Islamic finance myths for Muslim women in business,” will feature discussion aimed at highlighting available financing opportunities from Islamic financial institutions that can facilitate faith-aligned business growth.

The event will be held on Saturday, November 15, at Darul al Arqam International School and Madrassa in Lavington, Nairobi.

Participants will benefit from guidance by Islamic financial experts on the available opportunities that can attract financing from Shariah-compliant institutions to help advance businesses.

“Many women have little knowledge on how they can invest or expand their businesses through financing the shariah way, this forum will help bridge this gap,” said Umi Waboma from Afifah Events.

She said the event will also serve as a forum to engage Islamic financial institutions to provide diverse products, which will support entrepreneurship growth among women.

“Financial institutions are providing one-size-fits-all product, which unfortunately do not cater for the broader needs of women in business. We want to see a situation where women in various business sectors, including at the micro-level, access tailor-made solutions to foster their growth in business,’ she further explained.

Umi also urged Islamic financial institutions to increase awareness levels in the public about their services, saying that more than 17 years since the inception of the Islamic finance industry in the country, many people remained financially illiterate with regard to the benefits of shariah-compliant banking.

Speakers at the event will include Banu Khan, founder of ALIF (Advancing Leadership and Investment for Faith-Aligned Women) and an advocate for social inclusion and the economic empowerment of women. She has successfully initiated several initiatives that have helped address poverty and improve the lives of vulnerable groups.

Fatma Humeyra, an accomplished entrepreneur and co-CEO of Manzil Designs. She is an active community leader and mentor with over a decade of experience in community initiatives.

Other speakers will include Ustadha Batuli Nassir, director at Darul al Arqam International School and Madrasa, who will speak on the healthy mix of faith guidelines with best business practices, and Miswaleh Zingizi, a seasoned journalist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Kaya Nuts.

More details about the event are available through 0722695508.