Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor (AG) Arifa A. Ala was named as one of the “Most Influential Women in Islamic Business and Finance” by WOMANi for the second consecutive year during ceremonies held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 4 December 2023.
As BSP’s lead advocate for Islamic banking and finance, AG Ala was also recognized as “WOMANi Five-Star Alumni and Influencer” during the Cambridge Institute of Islamic Finance’s (IFA) prestigious “5th Annual WOMANi Symposium and Awards 2023.”
WOMANi honored AG Ala as one of the “Most Influential Women in Islamic Business and Finance” in recognition of her industry-wide advocacy to strengthen the Islamic banking and finance landscape in the country. Meanwhile, the Cambridge IFA’s WOMANi Five-Star Alumni and Influencer award recognizes the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of those who elevate the Islamic finance sector’s prominence in their respective countries.
During the symposium’s public session, the Assistant Governor explained that BSP’s promotion of Islamic banking and finance is anchored on its broader financial inclusion agenda for the benefit of Filipinos regardless of gender or religion.
“Every Filipino, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, deserves to have more choices and should have access to alternative financing modes to address their financing and investment needs,” she pointed out.
Expressing her strong support for women empowerment, AG Ala also said, “When women are educated, they are empowered to make good decisions for themselves and the people around them. If we achieve this, then we will see more women leaders in the Islamic finance industry.”
Themed, “The Evolution of Women in Islamic Business & Finance: Past, Present, and Future,” the WOMANi Symposium celebrated the contributions of women leaders and experts in Islamic business and finance who shared their insights, knowledge, and experiences in addressing and bridging the leadership gap, improving financial inclusion, and transforming the Islamic financial landscape in the global Islamic economy.
