Global Leaders in Islamic Finance


Book Description

Interviews with the professionals driving the rapid global growth of Islamic finance Though the modern Islamic finance system has existed for more than forty years, its size and influence in the banking industry has expanded massively in just the last decade. This book looks at Islamic finance from the perspective of the experts shaping the industry, including some of the founders of the first Islamic banks—Haj Saeed Lootah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Al Faisal Al Saud, and Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel—as well as other professionals who have greatly influenced the industry. Editor Emmy Alim offers rare insight on Islamic finance with these insightful interviews focused on the development, rise, and future trajectory of Islamic finance. Features rare insider perspective on the rise of Islamic finance with interviews from the top names in the industry in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States An ideal resource for bankers and finance professionals working in traditional finance as well as Islamic finance Written by Emmy Alim, Editor for Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Gateway, a multi-platform forum for experts and professionals in the Islamic finance industry




Major Players in the Muslim Business World


Book Description

Major Players in the Muslim Business World is a comprehensive guide for businessmen, researchers, and students who aim to learn more about the contemporary Muslim business world. Included are facts about the leading countries, companies and business persons in this world, as well as a brief introduction of Islamic principles related to business. Current information about opportunities and leaders in relatively new industries, such as Islamic Finance, Halal and Takaful sectors is also presented. Instead of the partial overview usually provided in competing guides, Major Players in the Muslim Business World offers a complete analysis of the most important topics, including the largest Muslim economies today, Muslim countries with the higest GDP per capita, Muslim companies on the Forbes Global 2000 list and Fortune's Global 500 Companies list, and the Muslim world in contemporary geopolitics.




Islamic Finance: Why It Makes Sense (For You) — Understanding its Principles and Practices, 2nd Edition


Book Description

Islamic finance has been growing faster than conventional finance for most of the past decade. It has done this on a model of finance that rejects interest and promotes profit sharing. How is this possible? Yet the wealth potential of Islamic finance is far from being its most attractive feature. What is most compelling about Islamic finance are its ethical principles and strong corporate governance based on Shariah law. This SECOND EDITION explains and updates how conventional financial products work — from mortgages and leases to trade finance and insurance — before delving into their Islamic versions and contains three new topics on microfinance, the ethical company and wealth successionAbout the Authors Daud Vicary Abdullah has been in the finance and consulting industry for more than 40 years, and has focused solely on Islamic finance since 2002. At Hong Leong Islamic Bank, he was instrumental in transforming an Islamic banking window into a full-fledged Islamic banking subsidiary. Today, he helms INCEIF (International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance), the global university for Islamic finance set up by Bank Negara (Central Bank of Malaysia) in December 2005. He is also a frequent speaker and commentator on matters relating to Islamic finance. Keon Chee is a senior executive in Singapore where he oversees the wills, trusts and corporate services businesses in his firm. He has many years' experience in investment research, derivatives, financial training and insurance. He obtained an MBA from Columbia University and an LL.B (Hons) from the University of London, and enjoys using his broad background in helping clients with their estate planning needs. He is also co-author of the best-selling Make Your Money Work For You.




Islamic Finance in the Global Economy


Book Description

A second edition of Islamic Finance in the Global Economy, substantially revised and updated to take into account the recent developments in the field.




The Islamic Finance Handbook


Book Description

Get up to speed quickly on the world's fastest growing financial sector The Islamic Finance Handbook: A Practitioner's Guide to the Global Markets is the definitive report for the Islamic finance industry. Written by the industry's leading practitioners, the book provides a country-by-country breakdown of the current state of the Islamic market, including league tables by region and by country. Relevant case studies are used throughout to illustrate the practical aspect of the information presented. Organized for easy navigation, each chapter features sub-sections that allow instant comparison between countries in a specific area of interest. The Islamic finance industry is the world's fastest growing sector, valued at over U.S. $1.3 trillion by the UK Islamic Finance secretariat, with an annual growth of 24% for the past five years. To compete globally, practitioners need a true understanding of key markets within the industry. The Islamic Finance Handbook paints a clear picture of where each country stands in its development and role within the market, and provides a straightforward comparison between markets. Features include: Current macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions Regulatory and political situations Recent transactions, key participants, and the investor climate Real-world cases, as opposed to speculative scenarios The book places a clear focus on current conditions versus past performance, and on practical applications versus theoretical speculation. Each chapter is authored by a leading practitioner from within each country, allowing a true glimpse inside the day-to-day workings of the Islamic markets. For finance professionals who need to get up to speed on this rapidly growing sector, The Islamic Finance Handbook: A Practitioner's Guide to the Global Markets is a clear, comprehensive guide.




Current Issues in Islamic Banking & Finance


Book Description

Islamic finance with social responsibility (IFSR) is the new theme of this book. It has been introduced to the general public and is now being promoted by the author through his own writing on Islamic Finance News. I am thankful to its chairman who encourages me to continue writing so those in power in Islamic finance institutions can benefit from my expertise and knowledge in this field. I hope some of my innovative business ideas that I promote in this book will be implemented in order to give hopes to young generation that IFSR is the new vehicle for change for the betterment of mankind in this universe. The main purpose behind introducing the new concept (IFSR) is the food crisis that hurts the poor and needy badly and has now started to adversely affect a wider segment of societies in Asia, Africa, and Middle East due to soaring food costs and the rise of inflation that may trigger civil unrest in many parts of the Muslim world (MW). The cause’s of the surge in food crisis is the massive production of biofuels, which is “a crime against humanity” according to a UN official because of its impact on global food prices that has completely ruined agriculture and will starve millions of people.




Islamic Finance


Book Description

"Islamic Finance: The Regulatory Challenge…is therefore timely and a truly welcome addition to the growing literature on this subject…I congratulate the two professors for their fine contribution to the evolving art and science of the regulation of Islamic finance." —Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia "The World's financial regulators have taken too long to appreciate the importance of adapting their regulatory frameworks to the needs of the fast growing Islamic finance sector. Simon Archer and Rifaat Ahmed, the leaders in the field, have put together a fascinating collection of essays which show just what has to be done. It is a very timely book indeed." —Howard Davies, Director, London School of Economics "The emergence of Islamic finance as a major force in the world financial system has focused attention on regulatory issues. This book, edited by Professor Archer and Professor Rifaat, two of the most respected figures in the field, is an important point of reference for those who have to deal with these issues, whether in regulatory authorities, or in the financial institutions themselves." —Professor William Blair QC, Grays Inn, London "There is now great interest, both in financial and legal circles, in reliable and authoritative texts on Islamic finance. I have no doubt that the availability of Islamic Finance: The Regulatory Challenge will be warmly welcomed by those who provide financial and legal services. The work will be of great assistance to them." —The Rt Hon the Lord Woolf of Barnes, Law Lord and former Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales




Heaven's Bankers


Book Description

A leading Islamic finance banker sheds light on an industry with growing global influence: “A superb introduction to a fascinating subject” (Financial Times) A trillion-dollar financial industry has revolutionized the global economy. Governments and corporations across the Islamic world have turned to finance that complies with Shari‘a law in order to fund economic growth. Even in the West, Islamic finance became an important al­ternative source of funding when the conventional finance industry was reeling from the effects of the financial crisis. From its origins in the seventh century, Islamic finance has sought to develop core ethical principles that are based in the foundations of Islam and Shari‘a. But with an increasing Western interest, is it able to remain true to the principles of its faith? Can it maintain its ideals of social jus­tice? Or is Islamic finance guilty of the very dangers it seeks to avoid. In Heaven's Bankers, Harris Irfan, one of the world's leading Islamic finance bankers, gives unparalleled insight into the heart of this secretive industry. From his personal ex­perience of working with leading bankers, scholars and law­yers, he debunks the myths of Islamic banking, analyzes its greatest deals, and looks to the future of a system that has reprioritized the very nature of money itself.




Islamic Finance and the New Financial System


Book Description

Can Islamic finance save the global system? Islamic Finance and the New Financial System describes how the adoption of Islamic finance principles in future regulatory decisions could help prevent future shocks in the global financial system. Using illustrations and examples to highlight key points in recent history, this book discusses the causes of financial crises, why they are becoming more frequent and increasingly severe, and how the new financial system will incorporate elements of Islamic finance – whether deliberately or not. With an introspective look at the system and an examination of the misconceptions and deficiencies in theory vs. practice, readers will learn why Islamic finance has not been as influential as it should be on the larger global system. Solutions to these crises are thoroughly detailed, and the author puts forth a compelling argument about what can be expected in the future. Despite international intervention and global policy changes, the financial system remains in a fragile state. There is an argument to be made about integrating Islamic finance into the new system to facilitate stronger resilience, and this book explains the nuts and bolts of the idea while providing the reader with a general understanding of Islamic finance. Understand the key principles of Islamic finance Examine the history of the current financial system Discover how Islamic finance can help build a new debt-free economy Learn how Islamic finance theory doesn't always dictate practice Although Islamic finance is a growing market, it is still a foreign concept to many. Those within the Islamic finance circles wonder why the system has yet to gain broader appeal despite its ability to create a strong and well-balanced economy. Islamic Finance and the New Financial System provides clever analysis and historical background to put the issues into perspective.




Islamic Finance


Book Description

From the world's foremost authorities on the subject, the number-one guide to Islamic finance revised and updated for a post-crisis world Because it is entirely equity-based, rather than credit-based, Islamic finance is immune to the speculative bubbles and runaway volatility typical of Western finance. Especially now, in the wake of the global financial crisis, this has made them increasingly attractive to institutional investors, asset managers and hedge funds in search of more stable alternatives to conventional financial products. With interest in Islamic finance swiftly spreading beyond the Muslim world, the need among finance and investment professionals has never been greater for timely and authoritative information about the rules governing Islamic finance. This thoroughly updated and revised second edition of the premier guide to regulatory issues in Islamic finance satisfies that need. Addresses the need for banks to develop common Islamic-based international accounting and auditing standards Clearly explains the key differences between Shari'ah rulings, standardization of acceptable banking practices, and the development of standardized financial products Explores the role of the Shari'ah Boards in establishing common rules regarding the permissibility of financial instruments and markets Offers guidance for regulators seeking to adapt their regulatory frameworks to the needs of the fast-growing Islamic finance sector