Welcome to the Islamic Finance Resources blog, a grassroots initiative started by industry professionals and supported by practitioners from around the globe.

We constantly update this site and its overall content, and encourage you to use the various navigation tools available and welcome your feedback and comments.
A few of the resources that you can find in this site:
- Funds@Work: Network Analysis Among Sharia Scholars v 4.0
- ISRA: Islamic Finance Knowledge Repository
- IFSB-IRTI-IDB Islamic Finance and Global Stability Report
- Sukuk Reports: I, II, III, and IV
Much more available under 'Industry Reports' and 'Academic Papers' (right hand side menus)

Islamic Finance in the News

Islamic Markets on Twitter



28.12.09

CW: The Determinants of Sin Stock Returns: Evidence on the European Market

The Determinants of Sin Stock Returns: Evidence on the European Market
Julie M. Salaber
November 2007
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Determinants of Islamic Bank Profitability

Determinants of Islamic Bank Profitability
by Professor Sudin Haron
KLBS - Working Paper Series 002
March 2004

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26.12.09

CW: The Cost of Socially Responsible Portfolios: Testing for Mean-Variance Spanning

The Cost of Socially Responsible Portfolios: Testing for Mean-Variance Spanning
Rients Galema, Auke Plantinga, Bert Scholtens
February 2009
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24.12.09

Analysis of Short-Term Asset Concentration in Islamic Banking

Analysis of Short-Term Asset Concentration in Islamic Banking
Abbas Mirakhor
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
October 1987

Abstract: In general the process of implementation of Islamic banking in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan appears to be proceeding with relative success. However, number of problems have surfaced during the transition period, among which is a tendency for short-term assets to dominate commercial bank portfolios. The negative effects on capital formation is one result of this portfolio behavior. The cause of this behavior is a set of regulations constraining profit-sharing activities of commercial banks. It is shown here that such regulations rather than reducing the risks of bankruptcies in the banking system may well increase them.
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19.12.09

Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence - Fifth Issue

It has been quite impossible to escape the recent headlines emanating out of Dubai and specifically relating to Nakheel - to the point that one would have been tempted to avoid the topic altogether. We emphasize the need to take a forward-looking perspective for this the fifth edition of OIFI. We explore the broader implications of Nakheel as it relates to the future of sukuk specifically and to the Islamic financial marketplace as a whole within our editorial section.

Fortunately OIFI does not coordinate content with irrational exhuberance (or market 'standstills' for that matter), we remain focused on providing coverage of a wide range of topics - all very timely and relevant in their own right. Our Featured Resource section revisits various opinion pieces on ethics and Islamic finance, with a further segway into social responsibility and responsible investing.

In our Featured Structure section, Nikan explores various Shariah compliant short-selling solutions that have been developed over the past few years (and complemented by further analysis of each one). This review is further complemented by our Fund Manager Interview as we converse with Tocqueville's John Hathaway, who oversees one of the very first Islamic hedge funds.

Khalil continues his Lex Islamicus column with a specific look at contractual complexity and this is further complemented by our Industry Snapshot, where Hdeel Abdelhady from DLA Piper provides a critical analysis of some of the most noteworthy court cases involving Islamic law in recent years. Just as legal precedent is relevant and necessary, so is the need for developing the future talent in the industry as we hear from Fuwad Beg, of Yasaar Human Capital, exploring this theme in detail in our Opinion Column.

Once again we welcome your comments & suggestions, and a reminder that you can check the free online archive of Opalesque Islamic Finance Briefing (our daily news summary) which provides a historical data bank of industry news and articles, as well as the back issues of OIFI.

Download Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence here

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16.12.09

CW: The Cost of Socially Responsible Investing

The Cost of Socially Responsible Investing
Tim Adler
May 2008
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14.12.09

Islamic Banking Theories, Practices and Insights for Nigeria

Islamic Banking Theories, Practices and Insights for Nigeria
Toni Uhomoibhi Aburime
Deakin University

Abstract: The broad aim of this paper is to introduce knowledge of Islamic banking theories and practices to banking and finance scholars and practitioners in Nigeria, as well as draw some useful insights on Islamic banking in Nigeria. Prohibition of interest, low consumer lending, profit and loss sharing and high real sector investing are primary characteristics of Islamic banks. Islamic banks operate the three conventional deposit accounts. They also engage in investment financing, trade financing, lending, and other financial services. Differences between Islamic and conventional banks lie in prohibition of interest, emphasis on Islamic principles of morality, emphasis on collateral, certainty of deposits and returns, liquidity risk and solvency risk; while similarities between Islamic and conventional banks lie in profit-making objective and nature of banking services. Though there is a dearth of Islamic banks in Nigeria, Islamic banking has become a fast growing concept. The emergence of full-fledged Islamic banks in Nigeria should be expected in the near future.
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8.12.09

LinkedIn Discussions - Highlights of 2009

Looking back at 2009 we thought useful to highlight some of the most heated discussions and lengthy debates which we have had over the year within our Linkedin group.


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6.12.09

CW: Socially Responsible Investors and Their Advisors

Socially Responsible Investors and Their Advisors
Meir Statman
November 2007
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