Experts stress strong shariah governance in Islamic banks

Speakers at a high-level workshop yesterday emphasised the critical role of robust shariah governance in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust within the Islamic banking sector.

The remarks were made during the opening session of a three-day special training workshop, titled “Shariah Governance for Members of Shariah Supervisory Committees”, held at the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) in the capital. The programme is being jointly organised by BIBM and the Bangladesh Bank.

Md Kabir Ahmed, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest.

He stated that effective shariah governance is essential for upholding public confidence in the Islamic banking system.

He further noted that shariah-based supervision plays a pivotal role in ensuring accountability across all banking operations.

Abu Bakar Rafique, chairman of the Shariah Advisory Board of Bangladesh Bank, attended as a special guest.

He stressed the need for a strong institutional framework to guarantee transparency in Islamic financial activities.

Supporting this view, Mohammed Abdul Mannan, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIB), highlighted that as the country’s Islamic banking sector continues to expand rapidly, the need for effective shariah oversight has become more crucial than ever.

The inaugural session was presided over by Md Ezazul Islam, director general of BIBM. In his address, he reaffirmed BIBM’s commitment to enhancing good governance and professional expertise in the banking sector through regular training, research, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The workshop, which runs from April 21 to April 23, 2026, is being attended by members of Shariah Supervisory Committees from various Islamic banks and financial institutions across the country. The sessions will focus on shariah governance frameworks, regulatory policies, and global best practices.

Earlier, Mohammed Tazul Islam, professor and director at BIBM, also spoke in the opening event.