Guidance Residential President and CEO Kal Elsayed speaks on a panel at IFESDC 2026 at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Reston, VA, July 31, 2026 — Guidance Residential President and CEO Kal Elsayed spoke at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 2026, at an international conference on Islamic economics and finance.
Guidance was a sponsor of the International Islamic Economics and Finance Conference for Sustainable Development (IFESDC 2026), held July 15-16 at the World Bank's Preston Auditorium. This year's theme was "Forging Shared Prosperity: Advancing Digital Islamic Economics and Finance through Inclusive Services and Ethical Practices."
Elsayed spoke about "Islamic House Financing and Financial Inclusion Strategy." It was his second consecutive year presenting at the conference.
Kal Elsayed presents at the World Bank Group during IFESDC 2026.
In his talk, Elsayed contrasted the conventional debt-based financial system with the risk-sharing, asset-backed model of Islamic finance. He spoke of the negative effects of a debt-based economy and said financing should share risk rather than concentrate it in the hands of the most vulnerable.
Looking ahead to the role of digital and technological advancements in Islamic finance, Elsayed emphasized partnership across the industry.
"No one company can do it alone," he said. "The next 10 years and beyond really require organizations like ours to collaborate to promote the next generation's well-being."
Kal Elsayed discusses Islamic house financing and financial inclusion at IFESDC 2026.
About the Conference
The Islamic Economic and Finance Conference for Sustainable Development brings together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders in Islamic finance, the halal industry, and sustainable development. IFESDC 2026 was organized in collaboration with IMAAM, Tazkia University, Sakinah Finance, and the World Bank Group's Office of the Executive Director.
About Guidance Residential
Guidance Residential is the #1 U.S. Islamic home financing provider, having provided more than $12 billion in financing to nearly 45,000 families since 2002. Its unique Declining Balance Co-ownership Program was developed with leading Islamic scholars and 18 U.S. law firms to ensure strict adherence to Islamic jurisprudence while conforming to U.S. legal and regulatory requirements. Rather than a lender-borrower relationship, homebuyers enter an equitable partnership contract and enjoy the benefits of homeownership without compromising their faith-based principles.
