Source: Halal Times

Jakarta, Indonesia – London’s Hammersmith district became the epicenter of Islamic innovation on June 21, 2025, as the Muslim Tech Fest (MTF) celebrated its third consecutive year with remarkable success. The event, hosted at Novotel London West, attracted an impressive international audience of more than 1,800 participants representing 27 nations worldwide.

Since its inception in 2023 through the collaborative efforts of founders Arfah Farooq and Zahid Mahmood, MTF has established itself as the premier gathering for Muslim entrepreneurs and technologists focused on ethical innovation. This year’s festival expanded across three floors of the venue, bringing together more than 50 industry speakers and 40 exhibiting companies.

Startup Competition Takes Center Stage

The festival’s marquee event, the MTF Pitch competition, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of the Muslim tech community. Thirty-five startups led by Muslim founders competed for a substantial £30,000 investment prize designed to accelerate their business growth. The competition featured diverse solutions ranging from unbiased news platforms like Newscord to educational technology such as Running Paper’s automated exam grading system.

Industry veterans including Rama Chakaki from Transform VC served as judges, evaluating pitches based on innovation, market potential, and alignment with ethical principles. The competition provided a crucial platform for early-stage companies to gain visibility and secure funding from prominent investors.

Technology with Purpose

The conference programming emphasized Shariah-compliant innovation across multiple technology sectors. Key focus areas included artificial intelligence applications, financial technology solutions, and digital identity platforms. The festival featured dedicated discussion tracks on the Ihsaan and Ilm Stages, addressing contemporary challenges facing the global Muslim community.

Notable presentations included insights from Ismail Jeilani, CEO of LiveLink, who detailed his company’s successful £2.4 million funding round backed by major investors including Google and Biz Stone. His presentation offered valuable lessons on scaling tech ventures from concept to international markets.

The program also highlighted Islamic fintech innovations, including digital wallet solutions and blockchain-based transaction systems designed to comply with Islamic financial principles. Educational technology received significant attention, with platforms showcasing digital tools for Qur’an memorization and mental health support applications.

Global Perspectives and Challenges

Despite facing logistical obstacles, Palestinian entrepreneurs from Gaza Sky Geeks participated in the festival, sharing their experiences of building technology companies in conflict-affected regions. Their presence reinforced MTF’s commitment to supporting innovators from challenging circumstances worldwide.

The networking component connected attendees with investors and technology leaders from major markets including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States, and Canada. These connections facilitated potential partnerships across healthcare, scientific research, and media sectors.

Community Growth and Feedback

Co-founder Arfah Farooq reflected on the festival’s evolution, noting the diverse community’s need for customizable experiences. “Our community spans many backgrounds, so we’ve developed programming that allows participants to create their own learning journey,” she explained.

Zahid Mahmood emphasized the inclusive nature of the initiative, stating their focus on developing technology solutions that serve all users, particularly those with disabilities and individuals from underrepresented regions.

The festival’s roots trace back to Muslamic Makers, a professional networking group established by Farooq in 2016, which has since grown into this international technology summit.

Areas for Improvement

While the event received widespread positive feedback, some participants shared concerns about operational aspects through social media platforms. Issues included delayed ticketing processes and overcrowding during popular sessions, as highlighted in various posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Community members also provided constructive feedback regarding speaker diversity, suggesting increased representation from South Asian and African technology ecosystems for future editions. Despite these challenges, the festival’s community atmosphere and comprehensive programming received substantial praise.

Looking Forward

The success of MTF 2025 has already sparked planning for next year’s edition. The festival continues to serve its core mission of challenging conventional industry practices while promoting ethical technology development. With Anadolu serving as the global media partner, the event maintains strong international visibility.

As the Muslim technology community continues expanding globally, MTF has positioned itself as an essential platform for showcasing talent, facilitating investment, and driving innovation that aligns with Islamic values. The festival’s growth trajectory suggests it will remain a cornerstone event for Muslim entrepreneurs and technologists seeking to create positive global impact through ethical technology solutions.

Original article:

halaltimes.com. (n.d.). Muslim Tech Fest 2025 Third Edition Thrives in London. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://www.halaltimes.com/muslim-tech-fest-2025-third-edition-thrives-in-london/