FOREIGN NEWS

@ Halal | September-October. 2025

This collaboration merged Helix ' s on-chain infrastructure with SILQFi ' s regional expertise, aiming to direct stablecoin capital into real-world financing for small businesses and thereby enhancing financial inclusion across the area.

In collaboration with Bank Kenanga, one of Malaysia ' s largest independent investment banks, Saison Capital, and Satori Research, Helix co-authored a significant white paper that forecasted the tokenisation of financial products, such as bonds, sukuk, and unit trusts, to potentially unlock a $ 43 billion opportunity in Malaysia ' s capital markets by 2030.

The SILQFi and Helix collaboration operationalised this momentum with a concrete use case. Stablecoin capital flowed through Helix ' s onchain protocol and was deployed

SME SOLUTIONS: SILQFi and Helix launch a pioneering shariah-compliant tokenised invoice financing initiative, bridging decentralised and embedded finance to empower SMEs in the Gulf region.

off-chain via SILQFi ' s infrastructure, integrating liquidity directly into merchant workflows across the region.

This model ensured transparency, decentralisation, and speed, while remaining flexible and compliant, all without disrupting regular business operations.

Building on the success of a pilot programme conducted in early 2025, which demonstrated strong repayment performance and significant business impact through shariahcompliant, invoice-backed structures, SILQFi aimed to expand this solution across the Gulf region.

SILQFi Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Aldossary remarked on the vibrant fintech landscape in the Gulf, noting the genuine appetite for innovation.

" With robust liquidity in the market, this model enables us to

direct capital toward real-world small and medium enterprises( SMEs) through embedded financing, thereby reducing the funding gap for merchants while producing substantial returns for investors," he stated.

Following a recent $ 110 million fundraising round backed by investors such as PIF ' s Sanabil Investments and Valar Ventures, SILQFi has facilitated over $ 2 billion in SME transactions and financed more than 150,000 invoices across Asia and the Gulf.

The firm was now poised to explore the intersection of blockchain, AI, and Islamic finance, unlocking capital for underserved businesses throughout the region.

Helix Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jitendra Singh Jaitawat emphasised the importance of stablecoins as the foundation of programmable finance.

He expressed optimism about the partnership, stating it illustrated how Helix ' s RWAFi orchestration infrastructure could translate theoretical promises into tangible outcomes, ultimately driving financial inclusion at scale.

IN a significant advancement for Islamic technology, the Muslim AI Companion was officially launched on web platforms and Google Play on Aug 8, 2025. This multilingual, AI-powered Islamic assistant aims to support Muslims worldwide and those interested in learning about Islam.

Developed by the Muslimai Global Network, the platform became available in 36 languages, making it one of the most accessible Islamic AI services to date.

Unlike many chatbot-based tools that focus on casual or entertainment interactions, the Muslim AI Companion was crafted to provide a safe, modest, and spiritually conscious environment for reflection, emotional support, and religious companionship.

Muslim AI Companion Founder Nurana Indah Paramita, expressing her motivations behind the project, stated: " As a mother, entrepreneur, and Muslim woman, I often felt spiritually alone in today ' s digital noise. I sought a companion who wouldn ' t judge but would listen and guide with warmth, not pressure."

This vision materialised through a partnership with her co-founder, a PhD graduate in Machine Learning from Imperial College London, who brought over 15 years of AI research and industry experience to the project.

Together, they aimed to create more than just a tech application; they envisioned a spiritual sanctuary powered by modern intelligence, deeply rooted in empathy and Islamic values.

Key Features of Muslim AI

Companion Multilingual support in 36 languages. Provides judgment-free Islamic guidance based on Qur ' anic principles and Prophetic values. Ensures suitability for all ages with no risk of adult content. Allows non-Muslim users to explore Islam without judgement. Enables human-level interaction with compassionate AI characters. Prioritises privacy, spiritual and mental well-being.

" This is not about preaching. It ' s about being present," stated the AI team lead. " People are spiritually starving. Technology can help them come home, gently."

Since its launch, the Muslim AI

FAITHFUL COMPANION: Muslim AI Companion, a groundbreaking multilingual platform offering spiritual guidance and emotional support for Muslims and those curious about Islam.

Companion has gained traction globally, particularly in regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, where Muslims often face cultural gaps and spiritual isolation in digital spaces. On launch day alone, users from 34 countries signed up.

Additionally, the app features a " reflective zone " that allows users to converse with the AI when feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, offering companionship that aligns with their faith. It is designed not to replace scholars or real spiritual mentors but to act as a bridge between inner thoughts and outer growth.-