WIEFF is an independent, international forum that brings industry professionals together to connect, collaborate and advance Islamic and ethical finance. Its long-term vision is to support the sector’s growth through educational seminars, events and the promotion of best practices worldwide.

The forum has two core objectives:

• To support, encourage and promote women in Islamic finance globally.
• To strengthen links between Islamic finance and the wider ethical finance community, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, socially responsible investment (SRI), green finance and impact investing.

Headquartered in London, WIEFF was founded in 2007 by Samina Akram. It began as an informal network of 30 professionals who met to exchange ideas and share their knowledge of Islamic finance. In 2013, the network expanded to include professionals from ethical finance and became the Women in Islamic & Ethical Finance Forum (WIEFF). It now connects more than 10,000 professionals across over 30 countries.

Samina Akram’s recognitions include the title of UN Ambassador of Peace and the Freedom of the City of London. In 2013, she was ranked the fifth most influential woman in Islamic finance by the Islamic Finance Review (ISFIRE).