Australia’s emerging generation of Muslim entrepreneurs, professionals, investors and thought leaders gathered in the Whitsundays for Elevate26, a landmark four-day business summit held from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 May 2026, at the luxurious InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.
Organised in partnership with Salaam, the inaugural summit brought together a high-calibre network of business owners, executives, media figures, lawyers, accountants, academics and community leaders for what many described as one of the most ambitious Muslim professional networking events held in Australia to date.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, Elevate26 positioned itself as far more than a conventional business conference. Designed around the themes of leadership, ethical enterprise, advocacy, wealth creation and legacy-building, the summit created a unique environment where business strategy merged with faith-conscious leadership and community responsibility.
The summit commenced on Thursday evening with a welcome dinner hosted by acclaimed broadcaster and anti-racism advocate Tasneem Chopra OAM, who served as MC across the opening sessions. Delegates arriving from across Australia were welcomed into an atmosphere of purposeful networking and meaningful conversation. Speakers Yasmeen Seedat and Sara Yassi set the tone for the weekend with discussions around ambition, alignment and leadership among Muslim professionals navigating modern Australian society.
A late evening “Night-Cap” session led by Dr Imran Lum explored the realities and challenges surrounding Islamic finance in Australia, sparking candid discussions among attendees under Chatham House Rules, which applied throughout the summit to encourage open dialogue and honest exchange of ideas.
Friday’s program focused heavily on capital, influence and sustainable growth. Dr Imran Lum, Head of Islamic Finance at National Australia Bank, opened the formal sessions with a presentation tracing the historical connections between trade, faith and Islamic finance from the Maritime Silk Roads to modern Australia.
NAB’s Head of Property Services Group Mark Browning delivered an online address analysing how global economic instability and geopolitical developments may impact Australian property markets in coming years.
Brand strategist Mohamed Zaoud challenged delegates to think beyond short-term visibility and instead focus on long-term relevance, authenticity and purpose-driven branding.
Discussions later moved into governance and corporate responsibility with Lamia Daher of Sterling Legal speaking on the risks and obligations associated with directorships and business leadership.
One of the recurring themes throughout the summit was the need for Muslims to move from individual success toward institution building. Sessions led by Hamza Alameddine, Abdullah Nouh and Ranya Akacha explored business structures, property investment, leadership styles and team management, all framed within the context of ethical growth and long-term community impact.
Congregational Juma prayer was held at the summit led by Mohamed Zaoud that included a spiritually enlightening Khutbah (sermon) exhorting the participants to avoid even the minor sins in order to maintain strong spirituality.
The summit balanced intensive intellectual engagement with relaxation and networking opportunities. Delegates participated in beach activities at Coconut Beach, informal evening gatherings and waterfront dinners that encouraged collaboration beyond formal presentations.
Saturday’s sessions shifted toward advocacy, media influence and legacy. Professor Talal Yassine AM and Moustafa Kheir delivered a thought-provoking discussion on the growing importance of organised Muslim advocacy in Australia, emphasising strategic engagement, economic empowerment and institution-building for future generations.
One of the most anticipated sessions featured broadcaster and academic Waleed Aly in conversation with sociologist Susan Carland. Titled “Waleed Aly Spills The Tea – My Journey, The Project and Beyond,” the session drew significant audience engagement as Aly reflected on media pressures, public discourse and navigating identity within mainstream Australian media.
A major highlight of the summit was the panel discussion “The News Desk: Australia & the World – Media, Power & the New Global Narrative – Are We Being Muzzled?” moderated by Susan Carland and featuring Waleed Aly, Zia Ahmad, Sarah Maree Cameron and former CNN journalist Yusuf Omar.
The panel examined media narratives surrounding global conflicts, Islamophobia, censorship and the changing nature of digital journalism from mainstream media to social media and beyond.
Peter Gould’s session on creativity, spirituality and “designing for good” encouraged Muslim entrepreneurs to combine innovation with spiritual intelligence and ethical consciousness, while solicitor Tom Zreika OAM addressed growing concerns around Islamophobia legislation and how emerging laws may affect Muslim businesses and professionals in Australia.
The summit concluded with a gala dinner hosted by Susan Carland featuring keynote reflections from Waleed Aly and Professor Talal Yassine AM, alongside entertainment by comedian Beray Uzunbay whose performances brought humour and warmth to the event.
Throughout the weekend, participants repeatedly returned to the idea that Elevate26 was defined not only by its speaker lineup, but by “the calibre of the room” — a phrase frequently echoed by organisers and attendees alike.
Informal conversations between sessions often became as valuable as the official presentations, with delegates discussing collaborations, investment opportunities, mentorship and future community projects.
The summit also highlighted the growing sophistication and confidence of Australia’s Muslim professional class. Speakers and attendees represented industries including finance, law, media, technology, property, philanthropy, education and social enterprise.
Summit Sponsors included NAB, Seedat Accounting, Benchmark Capital and Birchgrove Legal, while Islamic Relief Australia was featured as the summit’s charity partner and Australasian Muslim Times AMUST as the Media partner.
Elevate26 concluded on Sunday morning with farewells and reflections as delegates departed Hayman Island carrying new ideas, professional connections and a renewed sense of collective purpose.
In an era increasingly shaped by economic uncertainty, political polarisation and shifting social narratives, Elevate26 demonstrated a growing appetite within Australia’s Muslim community for spaces that combine commercial excellence with ethical leadership, strategic advocacy and faith-conscious responsibility.
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