A pioneering event aimed at empowering the Muslim community with financial knowledge and halal investment opportunities will take place on Saturday 14 February in Batley.
Organised by Al-Ihsan Trust, the initiative is being described as the first of its kind in the region, bringing together leading Islamic finance experts, scholars and specialist organisations under one roof at the Al-Hikmah Centre in West Yorkshire.
The event is designed not merely as a networking opportunity, but as a practical platform to help British Muslims better understand ethical wealth creation, tax planning and long-term financial security in line with Islamic principles.
Bridging Faith and Finance
Topics set to be covered throughout the day include:
- Introduction to Islamic finance
- Halal investment options currently available in the UK market
- Tax incentives and strategic financial planning
- Halal ISAs and generating passive income streams
- Pensions and retirement planning
- Inheritance planning and Islamic wills
Organisers say the aim is to demystify Islamic finance and provide clarity in a market that has grown significantly over the past decade.
One of the organisers Abdul Ravat gave some context to Halal investment. He said: “Halal investment is basically products and services, which are derived from equity based investment, or profit sharing, those sort of elements, which doesn’t touch interest. You can apply that in so many stages of your life, from buying a house, to loans, to pensions and all sorts of things. This is a growing market and so we think there is a growing need for this sort of facility and information gathered, which is the primary reason why we are hosting this expo.
Research conducted by the Muslim Council of Britain in its 2011 report The Muslim Pound in 2011, later presented at the 9th World Islamic Economic Forum in 2013, highlighted the substantial contribution of British Muslims to the national economy.
At that time, the Muslim community’s total contribution to the British economy was estimated at £31 billion. The report identified:
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114,548 Muslims in higher managerial, administrative and professional roles
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13,400 Muslim-owned businesses in London alone, creating 70,000 jobs
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Over £1 billion spent within the halal food sector
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An estimated £20.5 billion in consumer spending power
With the Muslim population now standing at approximately four million according to the latest Office for National Statistics census data, community leaders estimate that the net economic contribution could be approaching £50 billion in 2026.
These figures are particularly striking given the socio-economic challenges faced by earlier generations of Muslim migrants, many of whom arrived in Britain with limited resources and worked their way up from some of the most deprived communities in the country.
Two-Part Structure: Expo and Seminar
The event has been structured in two distinct parts to maximise accessibility and depth:
Expo (11am–4pm)
Free and open to the community, the daytime exhibition will feature stalls and exhibitors offering information, advice and networking opportunities for Muslim entrepreneurs, investors and professionals.
Seminar and Networking Dinner (5pm–9pm)
The evening session will provide in-depth discussions led by expert scholars, practitioners and product specialists. Attendees will also take part in a formal networking dinner designed to foster collaboration and partnership.
Organisers say the initiative reflects a growing appetite within the community for structured, faith-aligned financial education — particularly at a time when economic pressures, retirement planning and ethical investment choices are increasingly at the forefront of household concerns.
Registration details are available through the Al-Ihsan Trust, with community members encouraged to secure places early for the evening seminar.
