Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) , in cooperation with the World Bank, will convene the AAOIFI - World Bank Annual Conference on Islamic Banking and Finance on 14 and 15 December 2009 in Bahrain Conference Centre, Crowne plaza Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The Conference is held under the auspices of Central Bank of Bahrain .

At the opening ceremony, conference introduction will be given by Dr Mohamad Nedal Alchaar, Secretary General of AAOIFI ; welcome address by H. E. Shaikh Epahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Housing, Kingdom of Bahrain who is also Chairman of Board of Trustees of AAOIFI ; opening address by H. E. Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain ; and keynote address by Mr James Adams, Vice president, the World Bank.

Discussions at the Conference will be led by eminent Shari'a scholars and members of Shari'a Board of AAOIFI - the international organisation that formulates standards on accounting, auditing, ethics, governance, and Shari'a for the international Islamic finance industry.

AAOIFI also offers professional development programs such as the Certified Shari'a Adviser and Auditor (CSAA) and Certified Islamic professional Accountant (CIpA), and contract certification program that certifies financial contracts between Islamic financial institutions and their clients comply with Shari'a rules and principles.

"This Conference, which is a premier event for the international Islamic finance industry, pings together the leading Shari'a scholars and Islamic finance practitioners to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the industry especially in the current international financial environment." said Dr. Mohamad Nedal Alchaar, the Secretary - General of AAOIFI .

The opening ceremony of the Conference will also see graduation certificates being handed over to candidates who have passed the recent CSAA and CIpA examinations.

The conference is supported by Albaraka Banking Group, Bahrain Islamic Bank, Elaf Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank, Ernst & Young, Gulf Finance House, Khaleeji Commercial Bank, Kuwait Finance House, International Turnkey Systems, Ithmaar Bank, path Solutions, Qatar Islamic Bank, and Unicorn Investment Bank.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:

Khairul Nizam

Tel: +973 - 1724 4496 / 3974 5528

Email: aaoifi@batelco.com.bh

© press Release 2009