More than 300 people attended a sell-out Halal and Ethical Finance Expo in Batley, underlining rising demand for faith-based financial guidance within the Muslim community.

The event, organised by Al-Ihsan Trust, was held at the Al-Hikmah Centre on 14th of February and brought together Islamic finance scholars, investment providers and community leaders for a day of workshops, panel discussions and networking.

Grounded in the Islamic prohibition of riba (interest) and principles of fair trade and shared risk, the expo aimed to provide practical advice on navigating the UK financial system without compromising religious beliefs.

Sessions covered the fundamentals of Islamic finance, halal investment products available in the UK, tax planning, pensions, retirement planning and Islamic wills, including charitable endowments (waqf).

The programme was split into two parts. A daytime expo, open to the public, featured advisory stalls and seven specialist workshops. The evening seminar and networking dinner offered in-depth discussions led by scholars and industry practitioners.

Abdul Aziz Ravat, one of the organisers, said halal investments are typically equity-based or structured around profit-sharing rather than interest.

He said: “These products can be applied at all stages of life, from purchasing a home to pensions and long-term financial planning. It is a growing market and there is a need for accessible information so people can make informed choices in line with their faith.”

Interest in Islamic finance has expanded in recent years as more British Muslims seek alternatives to conventional banking. Research published by the Muslim Council of Britain in 2011 estimated the Muslim community’s contribution to the UK economy at £31bn. 

With the Muslim population now exceeding four million, community leaders believe that figure has grown significantly. Ebrahim Karolia of Al-Ihsan Trust, who led the project, said organisers were forced to close ticket sales early due to demand.

He said: “We were overwhelmed by the response. There is still scepticism and a lack of understanding around Islamic finance, so creating a space where organisations and scholars can engage directly with the community is important.

What stood out was the number of young professionals attending. That shows there is a hunger for knowledge and a desire to align financial success with faith.”

Mufti Amjad Mohammed, an Islamic finance scholar who addressed the seminar, said the event highlighted the breadth of ethical finance within Islam, from social finance such as zakat and waqf to personal matters including home purchases, investments and inheritance planning.

He added that initiatives of this kind help communities engage with regulated practitioners while remaining true to their beliefs. Proceeds from the event will support plans to establish a community hub for education, worship and social activities.

Islamic Relief was among the strategic partners supporting the event. Ateeq Salik, its National Community Fundraising Manager, said the expo created “an important space for learning and collaboration” as interest in ethical and halal wealth management grows.

Hassan Joudi of the Muslim Council of Britain described the gathering as “forward-looking”, bringing together entrepreneurs and investors keen to explore alternatives to conventional finance.

Bashir Karolia, Chair of Al-Ihsan Trust, said the scale of attendance reflected a maturing community seeking to strengthen financial literacy.

He said: “This was not simply about investment products. It was about responsible stewardship of wealth and ensuring prosperity is pursued in a way that aligns with Islamic values.”

Organisers say further events are planned in the coming months as momentum builds around faith-conscious finance in West Yorkshire and beyond.