Published: 06:33 PM, 27 September 2026 Last Update: 06:34 PM, 27 September 2026
Bangladeshi-origin economist Dr. Masum Billah receives Leader of the Islamic Economy Award 2026
Internationally renowned economist and Islamic finance and investment specialist Professor Dr. Mohammad Masum Billah, of Bangladeshi origin, has been honoured with the ‘Leader of the Islamic Economy Award 2026' in recognition of his contributions to professional higher education, research, leadership and the global advancement of Islamic finance.
The Leaders of Islamic Economy Awards 2026 were presented at a ceremony held in the main block of the Parliament House of Malaysia as part of the World Islamic Economy Week 2026.
Professor Dr. Masum Billah currently serves as a Senior Professor of Finance and Investment at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has been involved in higher education, applied and strategic research, corporate leadership, global trade and investment cooperation, as well as strategic advisory roles for both corporate and government institutions across different regions of the world, according to a press release.
His areas of specialisation include finance, investment, digital transformation, industrialisation, energy and power, and framework development for foreign investment cooperation. His research also covers the intersection of finance and financial technology (fintech), including emerging developments in financial technology such as halal cryptocurrency and crypto-assets.
Professor Dr. Masum Billah has authored more than 64 books and published over 200 research papers and academic articles. His extensive body of work focuses on applied Islamic finance and investment as well as their technical frameworks, examining how Islamic financial systems can evolve in line with the dynamics of contemporary global finance.
Beyond academia, he has also held corporate leadership roles in management and strategic planning across various regions of the world.
The Leader of the Islamic Economy Award 2026 marks a significant recognition of his longstanding professional career and contributions. Throughout his career, he has engaged in research, corporate initiatives and strategic cooperation with financial institutions, corporations and government-level organisations across the Asia-Pacific, Arab region, Europe and Africa.
The international recognition has once again brought into focus the longstanding academic, research, corporate and strategic contributions of a Bangladeshi-origin economist to the global fields of Islamic economics, Islamic finance and investment.
