KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been conferred the prestigious Global Islamic Finance Leadership Award 2025 by the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA).The accolade, presented at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, recognizes his decades-long contribution and visionary leadership in the field of Islamic finance.
The award ceremony, which took place on September 11, 2025, saw the Prime Minister honored for his pivotal role in shaping Malaysia into a global hub for Islamic finance. The GIFA committee praised Anwar's leadership for its focus on principled governance, transparency, and the use of Islamic finance as a tool for sustainable development.
In his laureate speech, Anwar expressed gratitude, but emphasized that the award was a collective recognition for the many pioneers, activists, thinkers, regulators, and institutions who laid the groundwork for Islamic finance in Malaysia. He stated that he was a "small representative" for those who have worked tirelessly and with greater dedication.
Anwar’s journey in Islamic finance dates back to the 1980s, when he played a key role in launching Malaysia's pioneering Islamic banking initiatives. His award is seen as an acknowledgment of this historical contribution, as well as his ongoing efforts to promote innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability within the sector.
During his speech, the Prime Minister urged the Islamic finance industry to look beyond traditional profit metrics and serve as a moral compass in a turbulent world. He stressed that the true ethos of Islamic finance is rooted in fairness, risk-sharing, compassion, and social justice. He challenged the industry to go beyond being "Shariah-compliant paperwork" and to actively transform lives by addressing inequality, poverty, and marginalization.
He also called for the adoption of modern tools like green sukuk for sustainable infrastructure and digital platforms to widen financial inclusion. He highlighted the importance of social finance instruments such as waqf (endowment) and zakat (alms) to uplift communities.
The Global Islamic Finance Awards, established in 2011, are a mark of excellence that honor governments, institutions, and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in promoting and advancing Islamic banking and finance. Anwar’s recognition places him among a select group of 14 heads of state and government to have received this honor in GIFA's 15-year history. He is the second Malaysian Prime Minister to receive the award, following the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
