Being the leading resource on Islamic public funds around the globe, the IFN Investor Funds Database registered 2,732 public Islamic funds managed by 515 asset management firms, with a combined total of US$446.94 billion in AuM as at the 11th May 2026.
Among the latest insights gleaned from this resource is that of Shariah compliant assets in Asia Pacific up 42% year-on-year to US$45.41 billion at the end of Q1 2026 – an expansion driven by a quadrupling in commodities values.
Shariah portfolio values in the GCC region for Q1 2026 suggested the current phenomenon there may be more about asset redistribution instead of the speculated capital flight – as our database tracking showed that valuations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman surged amid declines in Kuwait and the UAE from exposure to the US-Israel attack on Iran, while those in Qatar stabilized.
Despite suspending equity trades when the attack on Iran began on the 28th February 2026, the Persian nation’s capital market raises continued to be significant in the subsequent 60-day period, reported the Iran’s Securities and Exchange Organization.
Expanding opportunities
East Africa’s Islamic asset management marketplace is evolving into a regional investment ecosystem of cooperation – rather than a collection of standalone national markets impeded by rivalries.
Indonesia is allowing banks to share Shariah investment risks with deposit accountholders to obtain potentially higher returns on savings, according to the latest regulation issued by Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), or the Financial Services Authority.
New offerings
Emirates Islamic launched what is touted as the UAE’s first Shariah compliant certificate of deposit US$2 billion program allowing investments across multiple tenors and currencies.
Franklin Templeton launched two new Shariah compliant funds for investors in Europe, Asia and Middle East. The two Luxembourg-domiciled funds are the FTSF Franklin Global Sukuk Ultra Short Duration Fund and the FTSF Franklin Shariah Systematic Global Equity Fund.
Piccadilly & Co’s Sadaqah Garden Property Fund is moving to institutionalize “social good” by bridging real estate investing with a mission to aid Britain’s downtrodden and sustainable water supply projects in Guinea.
Malaysia’s PMB Investment is eyeing future-facing asset classes such as carbon credits, while continuing to provide stable and Shariah compliant income solutions for institutional investors.
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority approved the public offering of the Asbar Murabaha Fund by Asbar Alosool Capital. Nigeria’s Alpha10 Fund Management announced the impending launch of the fixed income Alpha10 Halal Fund.
Deals and participations
Lesha Bank announced the proposed acquisition by its subsidiary, LB for Educational Services, of a 51% stake in Sharaka Education for QAR192.48 million (US$52.88 million). It also signed an agreement with DTX Partners, the advisory arm of Doha Tech Angels, to jointly pursue Shariah compliant VC investments focused on technology-driven opportunities.
Verity Trustees, which owns TPT Retirement Solutions – provider of pension management and administration services to UK pension schemes – added the HSBC Global Sukuk UCTIS ETF to its defined contribution self-select fund range.
Darson Securities established an Islamic brokerage window following approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, while Intermarket Securities will soon offer a similar service.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank participated as a broker on Tabadul, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange’s cross-border trading platform, through ADIB Securities – becoming the first bank in the UAE to join the platform in this role.
Significant developments
S&P Dow Jones Indices relaunched the S&P Global 1200 Shariah Select Index with a revised history that reflects a methodology change to how its forex rates are captured. The Muscat Stock Exchange announced the results of its annual review of the MSX Shariah Index.
Shariah compliant securities now make up 64% of the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s market capitalization. UAE’s Shariah compliant investments fintech Sarwa surpassed the US$1 billion mark for client assets.
Regulated digital asset exchange (DAX) Hata became Malaysia’s first DAX to achieve Shariah compliant certification.
Pakistan’s Shariah compliant Burj Clean Energy Modaraba fund appointed Nadeem Lodhi as its CEO, replacing Nabeel Anjum Malik. Kuwait’s Gulf Capital Investment appointed Ammar Taleb Hajeyah as chief investment officer.
