MicrofinanceFocus, July 18, 2009: A two day International Conference on the “Emerging concept of Islamic Microfinance” will be held in Islamabad from July 21 to 22. Islamic microfinance aims at lending not money but providing necessary goods, equipment and machinery to the clients to run the business at micro level. Islamic microfinance has, of late, gained currency in many Islamic countries and a helpdesk has been established in Lahore by Alhuda Centre of Workforce Management to provide technical and Shariah guidance to the local and international microfinance institutions. The conference, being organised by Helping Hand for Relief and Development and Riphah Centre of Islamic Business, will explore emerging concepts for poverty alleviation and economic empowerment in developing countries through Islamic microfinance. Distinguished scholars and field experts from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and USA are expected to examine and exchange views on theoretical and operational issues with the emerging concept of Islamic Microfinance institutions, which are in operation in Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sudan and Syria.