Baruch students launch Islamic finance network in New York

More than 160 students, professionals and community leaders gathered at Baruch College on Sept. 17 for the inaugural Islamic Finance Conference, where student-led groups unveiled new platforms for research, mentorship and Muslim professional development. The event also set up longer-term programming ahead of The Mahalla Network’s planned MPower Summit in fall 2027.

Why it matters: - The conference highlights a growing student-led Islamic finance ecosystem in New York. - Baruch College students are building research, mentorship and professional networks that connect campus work with the broader finance industry. - The effort could help more Muslim students enter investment and capital markets careers without separating professional goals from religious principles.

What happened: - More than 160 students, professionals, community leaders and industry practitioners attended the Inaugural Islamic Finance Conference at Baruch College on Sept. 17, 2026. - The Baruch Muslim Business Association hosted the event with the NYU Muslim Student Association and Columbia Muslim Student Association. - The conference focused on student-built institutions for Islamic finance and Muslim professional development in New York. - Organizers framed the event as the start of longer-term work in research, mentorship and education. - The LinkedIn profile of Oleg Godun was included in the source material.

The details: - The Baruch Islamic Investment Research Group, or BIIRG, was one of the main student initiatives featured at the conference. - Oleg Godun and Yazdaan Sarwar co-founded BIIRG. - BIIRG is designed to help students build research, analytical and portfolio-management skills through Sharia-aligned investment principles. - BIIRG covers equities, fixed income and sukuk, real assets, macroeconomics and quantitative research. - Students in BIIRG research investments, deliver pitches, analyze the economy and manage simulated portfolios. - The goal is to give students practical experience for investment management and capital markets careers. - The conference also launched The Mahalla Network, presented by student founders Yazdaan Sarwar, Mahdeer Rahman and Naima Islam. - Mahalla is a professional and community platform for Muslim leaders in business, finance, law, engineering, entrepreneurship, technology and other fields. - Mahalla plans to offer mentorship, collaboration, career development, community-building and service. - BIIRG focuses on investment research and technical skills. - Mahalla focuses on the broader professional network around Muslim students and young professionals. - Three industry professionals led the main Islamic finance discussion: Dr. Mohamed Sawwaf of Manzil, Dr. Aamir A. Rehman of Innate Capital and Nusrat Ahmed of Musaffa. - The panel covered Sharia-aligned investing and financial products, the development of the Islamic finance industry, investment management, capital markets, entrepreneurship, financial technology, Islamic financial education, mentorship and career development. - Kashif Hussain, New York City Deputy Public Advocate for Infrastructure and Environmental Justice, addressed attendees. - The Office of the New York City Public Advocate formally recognized the Baruch Muslim Business Association, BIIRG, Dr. Mohamed Sawwaf, Dr. Aamir A. Rehman and Nusrat Ahmed for their service to the community.

Between the lines: - The event shows student groups trying to build durable institutions, not just one-off panels. - The mix of research, networking and career development suggests a strategy to make Islamic finance more accessible to students early in their careers. - The public recognition from the New York City Public Advocate’s office adds civic visibility to a niche but growing community effort. - Yazdaan Sarwar said the conference showed strong demand for infrastructure that lets students develop investment skills while engaging Islamic finance at an institutional level. - Oleg Godun said the goal is to keep building research, relationships and institutions so the momentum does not end with one conference.

What’s next: - BIIRG will continue research projects, educational programming, industry engagement and mentorship. - BIIRG also plans to work with students and professionals at other institutions. - The Mahalla Network will keep expanding its professional community ahead of the MPower Summit. - The MPower Summit is expected to launch in fall 2027 and bring together students, founders, executives, recruiters, professionals and community leaders across New York.

The bottom line: - Baruch students are turning Islamic finance interest into a structured ecosystem with research, mentorship and a longer runway for career building.