The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) hosted its second Iftar at its head office in Manila on 10 March 2026. The event further strengthens partnerships in promoting Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines.
The Iftar is a communal meal at sunset to mark the end of a day’s fast during Ramadhan. This year’s gathering brought together representatives from the Islamic Finance Coordination Forum (IFCF), Bangsamoro Government, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, BSP Muslim community, Shari’ah Supervisory Board, Islamic banking and finance institutions, national government agencies and regulatory bodies, and the diplomatic corps.
IFCF continues to push collaboration in Islamic banking and finance. Its works have led to milestones such as roadshows here and abroad, sukuk[2] and regulatory framework issuances, and licensing of Islamic banking and takaful players.
The IFCF is composed of 12 member-agencies/institutions, namely, the BSP, Asian Development Bank, Auditing and Assurance Standards Council, Bangsamoro Government, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of the Treasury, Department of Trade and Industry, Insurance Commission, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, Philippine Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards Council, and Securities and Exchange Commission.
The BSP-led IFCF is tasked to facilitate discussions, collaboration, and cooperation among members on all matters related to the promotion and development of Islamic banking and finance.
“Our goal is not simply for Islamic finance to exist alongside conventional banking, but for it to flourish as an integral and mutually reinforcing part of our financial ecosystem, broadening access to finance and serving communities that have long aspired for financial services aligned with their values,” BSP Deputy Governor Lyn Javier said.
“The Bangko Sentral plays a key role in advancing Islamic finance, but tonight’s gathering reflects something broader—it affirms our belief that a truly inclusive financial system must also respond to the traditions, values, and needs of the communities we serve,” BSP Senior Assistant Governor Arifa Ala, who also chairs the IFCF, said.
The BSP, which began hosting the Iftar in 2025, remains committed to fostering an inclusive financial system that reflects the country’s cultural diversity and expands access to Shari’ah‑compliant financial solutions.