Shaik Zakeer Hussain is the founding editor of Barakah Insider.
Innovation & Technology
Malaysia-based Zetrix AI has launched NurAI, which it bills as the world’s first Shariah-aligned large language model (LLM). Built on Islamic principles and tailored for the Global South, NurAI is designed to provide Muslims with a values-based AI alternative to Western and Chinese models. NurAI provides guidance on diverse
Halal Industry
In a strategic move to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global halal hub, BRF, one of the world’s largest food companies, and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), a wholly owned Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, announced the creation of a Halal Food Innovation Center at BRF’
News
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has unveiled a new digital platform, “Nusuk Umrah,” designed to simplify the process for Muslims around the world seeking to perform Umrah. The service, accessible at umrah.nusuk.sa, enables pilgrims to apply directly for Umrah visas and book travel packages electronically,
Startups
Hasan.VC, the venture capital arm of Malaysia-based Ethis Group, has opened applications for Cohort 003 of its high-impact Accelerator Programme, doubling down on its mission to support purpose-driven halal and ethical startups across Southeast Asia. The Hasan.VC Accelerator is a five-week, fully online programme custom-built for early-stage ventures
Halal Industry
Zabihah, the US-based halal discovery and delivery platform, has announced its merger with River, a rapidly growing US-based fintech infrastructure provider specialising in compliant, cross-border payments and global financial technology. As part of the merger, Zabihah will transition into the consumer brand and user gateway to the halal economy, now
Education
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), together with Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC), has launched an innovative Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program aimed at empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs across the 57 IsDB Member Countries and Muslim communities worldwide. This strategic initiative represents a fusion
Travel
Saudi Arabia is set to welcome 300,000 visitors this November for In the Prophet’s Steps, a groundbreaking project that recreates the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) migration route from Makkah to Madinah. Organised by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the project has drawn immense global interest, with over one
Travel
The 2nd Halal and Muslim-Friendly Tourism Forum took centre stage at the Seda Hotel in Cebu City last week, gathering government leaders, industry stakeholders, and advocates in a unified push to elevate the Philippines as a destination of choice for Muslim travellers. The event, a collaboration between the Department of
Islamic Banking
The Bank of Ghana has taken a significant step toward introducing Non-Interest Banking and Finance (NIBF) by convening a high-level meeting with senior religious leaders in Accra. The initiative, led by Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, reflects the central bank's commitment to deepening financial inclusion through ethical and
Product
At a time when users and activists feel increasingly surveilled, silenced, and sidelined on major social platforms, particularly when expressing criticism of Israel, a new platform has been launched, which promises to be "actually on your side". Meet UpScrolled, the just-launched Instagram alternative that promises no shadowbanning, no
Travel
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government of Maldives will designate a number of islands exclusively for the development of halal tourism, in a major move to diversify the nation’s world-renowned tourism sector. The announcement was made via the President’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, where
Lifestyle
In a market saturated with apparel brands vying for attention through flashy designs and aggressive marketing, MAN OF GODⓇ wants to stand apart. Founded in April 2024 by Arfa Amaan and Ahaan Iqbal, this Indian men’s lifestyle brand is not just selling clothing—it’s selling an ideology. Rooted