Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence - Tenth Issue

Islamic finance is riddled with dichotomies, it is almost natural to approach it in terms of good and bad, right and wrong, halal and haram. The reality however is sometimes not as clear cut, and we explore many of these dichotomies (and some of the ensuing gray areas) in this the tenth issue of Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence (download the PDF version). To start off our editorial note surveys a variety of research taken from the conventional finance world and how this relates to Islamic finance. This is promptly followed by our Featured Resource, which lists several of these academic studies.

We welcome Mohammed Amin in our Featured Structure section as he shares a descriptive analysis of takaful and how it differs with conventional insurance. Similarly, Lex Islamicus hears from Marjan Muhammad and Hakimah Yaacob, from the International Shari’ah Research Academy (ISRA), as they scrutinize the application of Ibra' and whether it should remain discretionary or mandatory in contractual agreements.

The Kulliyyah Korner profiles the work from Mobasher Zein as he has explored various areas of Islamic finance (from sukuk to hedge funds), whereas Joy Abdullah provides food for thought in the Islamic Window segment by looking into how Islamic values can be brought into the branding of Islamic banks and their products.

Blake Goud takes on our Opinion Column with his analysis of the recent publication by Zaid Ibrahim & Co entitled "Demystifying Islamic Finance" and the various issues that this publications tackles. Last but not least, our Industry Snapshot section has Omar Clark Fisher delving into corporate governance issues faced by the takaful industry.

As always, we are keen to hear your comments & suggestions and remember that you can visit our online archive (see reference link) for access to our ever-growing databank of Opalesque Islamic Finance Briefing as well as all of the back issues of Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence.

Download the complete issue of Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence here.

Alternatively you can read each article separately in the OIFI Archive:
Editor’s Note: Conventional Wisdom
Featured Resource: Conventional Wisdom - ESG/SRI Research
Featured Structure: How Conventional Insurance and Takaful Differ Numerically
Lex Islamicus: Ibra’: Should it be Discreationary?
Kulliyyah Korner: A Study of Islamic Finance: Searching for a New Path
The Islamic Window: Young but Disconnected
Industry Snapshot: Alignment of Corporate Governance and Company Performance: A Focus on Takaful
Opinion Column: Zaid Ibrahim Report on Islamic Finance

Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence - Tenth Issue