Enhancing Shariah Governance and Compliance Culture for Financial Institutions
Date: 13th July 2026
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur
Classroom Training
COURSE BACKGROUND
This one-day professional development programme is designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of Shariah governance and compliance culture within Islamic financial institutions. The course explores how sound governance frameworks, clear roles and responsibilities, and an ethical culture aligned with Shariah principles form the foundation for sustainable Islamic finance. Through interactive discussions, real-world examples and group exercises, participants will learn practical approaches for embedding effective governance structures, cultivating organisational integrity, and integrating Shariah compliance into all aspects of institutional decision-making and behaviour.
Strong Shariah governance and compliance culture are essential to safeguard public confidence in Islamic finance. Beyond policies and controls, institutions must nurture values of accountability, trust and excellence. This training addresses both structural and cultural dimensions of Shariah governance, enabling leaders and employees alike to align business objectives with Shariah requirements, enhance operational integrity, and mitigate non-compliance risk. The programme is relevant across all levels of Islamic financial institutions, emphasising that Shariah culture must be championed from the top and lived throughout the organisation.
- Key learning Objectives and Takeaways:
- Explain the key principles and components of effective Shariah governance frameworks.
- Distinguish the respective roles of the Board, Shariah Committee, and Management in governance and internal control.
- Describe the functions and inter-relationships of Shariah review, audit, and risk management.
- Identify practices that build and sustain a strong Shariah compliance culture across the institution.
- Apply practical tools and behavioural approaches to strengthen compliance accountability and organisational integrity.
AGENDA
- Overview of Shariah governance and internal control frameworks
- Current regulatory and institutional expectations
- Roles and responsibilities of the Board, Shariah Committee, and Management
- Strengthening accountability and independence in decision-making
- Linking Shariah governance with organisational culture and values
- Promoting a culture of Shariah compliance and ethical behaviour
- Open discussion and Q&A
- Understanding Shariah governance control functions
- Roles and interrelationships of Shariah review, audit, and risk management
- Internal Shariah Audit Framework – purpose, structure, and importance
- Practical considerations in establishing effective governance mechanisms
- Reporting lines and maintaining functional independence
- Common gaps and challenges in implementation
- Building and sustaining a compliance-oriented culture
- Group mapping exercise: ‘Governance Roles in Our Institution’
- Group Q&A and reflections
- Shariah compliance culture: concepts and significance
- Developing internal policies and initiatives that reinforce Shariah values
- Setting the tone from the top: leadership and management commitment
- HRM’s role in embedding ethics, training, and incentives
- Addressing behavioural biases and ethical decision-making
- Integrating governance and culture across business and support functions
- Managing and reporting Shariah non-compliance risk
- Role-play and discussion: ‘Tone from the Top in Practice’
- Reflection on key learnings from the day
- Sharing of institutional improvement ideas
- Summary discussion and closing remarks
EXPERT COURSE DIRECTOR
Prof. Dr. Rusni Hassan is an esteemed leader in Islamic finance, notably serving as the Dean at the IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance. Her distinguished career is marked by a profound influence on academic, regulatory, and practical aspects of Islamic finance globally. Her leadership extends beyond finance to influential positions on Shariah advisory councils and boards of directors for various organizations, reflecting her versatile expertise and commitment to integrating Islamic principles in broader economic practices.
A prolific author, she has contributed over a hundred scholarly articles and numerous seminal books that have significantly shaped the legal and regulatory landscape of Islamic finance worldwide. A passionate academician, she has mentored countless students and young professionals, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and the integration of Islamic values in business and finance and nurturing the next generation of Islamic finance professionals and fostering a well-rounded and principled financial leadership. Her works and contribution to Islamic Finance has been internationally recognized by the Government of Maldives when she was awarded the National-Recognition for Outstanding Contribution of Females to Develop and Sustain Islamic Finance Industry in Maldives in 2018. Her achievements span academic contributions, regulatory enhancements, and influential leadership, making her invaluable to the global Islamic finance community and an inspiring leader whose work continues to impact the academia and industry profoundly.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- This course is designed for a broad cross-section of Islamic financial institution personnel, including:
- Board members and Shariah committee members
- Senior and middle management
- Shariah, compliance, risk management and internal audit officers
- Product development, operations and support staff
- Support and enabling functions (e.g., HR, legal, finance)
REGISTRATION
FEE
Fee per participant: RM2,600/US$700
Please note that the Ringgit price is applicable to Malaysia-domiciled participants only. Discounts are available for group bookings. Please contact us for more details.

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IN-HOUSE/GROUP TRAINING
If you are looking for an in-house training program or wish to send a group to an existing public program, kindly please contact Andrew Tebbutt at [email protected] or +603 2162 7802.
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