International law firms Allen & Overy and Latham & Watkins are advising Dubai on an expected sovereign Islamic bond, two sources familiar with the matter told The Brief.

Sheikh Muddassir Siddiqui, a prominent Islamic scholar and partner at international law firm SNR Denton’s Dubai office, resigned from the firm earlier this month to pursue a career in sharia advisory, as the aftermath of the Arab Spring leads to more emphasis on sharia law in the region.

International law firm Clifford Chance is advising Dubai lender Emirates NBD on the Gulf Arab region’s first potential Chinese yuan bond, highlighting the Middle East’s growing focus on bolstering ties with China, said two sources familiar with the matter.