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



29.4.11

Attitudes, Perceptions and Motivations of Libyan Retail Consumers toward Islamic Methods of Finance

Attitudes, Perceptions and Motivations of Libyan Retail Consumers toward Islamic Methods of Finance
Alsadek Gait, Andrew C. Worthington
March 2009

Abstract: "This paper reports the results of a survey of 385 Libyan retail consumers in December 2007-February 2008 used to gather attitudes, perceptions and motivations towards Islamic methods of finance. The results indicate that while most respondents have at least some knowledge about some aspects of Islamic finance, specifically Musharakah (full-equity business partnerships) and Quard Hassan (interest-free benevolent loans), they are generally unaware of many other related products. Nonetheless, most respondents (85.9%) are potential users of Islamic methods of finance at the retail level, though potential use varying markedly according to age, level of education, employment, income and nationality. Factor analysis reduces the large number of variables that determine retail consumers' attitudes, perceptions and motivations towards Islamic methods of finance to just four determinants: namely, community service, profitability, religion and unique services. Discriminant analysis shows that religion and community service are the most important factors determining the potential use of Islamic methods of finance by retail consumers in Libya."
Share/Bookmark

27.4.11

Islamic Banking in Indonesia: Lessons Learned

Islamic Banking in Indonesia: Lessons Learned
By Rifki Ismal, Directorate of Islamic Banking, Bank Indonesia
April 2011

This is a paper prepared for the Annual Meeting on Trade and Development, United Nations of Conferences on Trade and Development, April 6th-8th, 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Abstract: "In Indonesia, Islamic banking shows a progressive performance with a robust performance of banking indicators. Its operations  engage non bank financial institutions, Islamic money and capital market and takaful (Islamic insurance) with the ultimate target of financing the real sector and improving the economy. However, there are still some challenges to be solved in particular the small market share, lack of human resources and, lack of product development. Some recommended actions are proposed in the paper to mitigate those problems and foster the development of the Islamic banking industry."
Share/Bookmark

25.4.11

Dispute Resolution in Islamic Banking and Finance: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

Dispute Resolution in Islamic Banking and Finance: Current Trends and Future Perspectives
Umar Aimhanosi Oseni
International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM)
August 2009

Abstract: "The current legal framework for dispute resolution in the Islamic banking and finance industry in developing countries may not adequately serve the purpose for which the financial institutions were set up. Meanwhile, the Islamic legal framework for dispute resolution has established rules for financial disputes as recognized under the classical law. This paper examines the current practice of dispute resolution in Islamic banking and finance with case analyses of selected Muslim countries. From our findings, disputes emanating from this industry are heard by the conventional courts and tribunals which, in most cases, do not have the requisite expertise. It is argued that since Islamic banking and finance disputes are sui generis, the panel of judges must be composed of experts in the field. The paper concludes that a legal framework should be established for dispute resolution in countries where Islamic banking and finance is being implemented. For a proper Islamization of the banking and finance sector, disputes arising from this sector should not be subjected to the convoluted conventional rules. The paper proposes a legal framework for dispute resolution in the Muslim world based on hybrid processes of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) recognized in Islamic law."
Share/Bookmark

23.4.11

Taking Takaful to the next level - The Malaysian Experience

A new publication, Special Report: Taking Takaful to the next level - The Malaysian Experience, is available on RAM's website.

Please click here to view the publication.
Share/Bookmark

21.4.11

AIMS - Job Opportunities in Islamic Banking & Finance

Job Opportunities in Islamic Banking & Finance
AIMS - Academy for International Modern Studies
April 2011

This is a periodic compilation of job postings and openings from a multitude of sources (all relevant to Islamic banking & finance), which can be found on the AIMS website.  Hoping to highlight other similar sources in the future and feedback in this regard is also very welcome. 

Share/Bookmark

20.4.11

Risk and Stability in Islamic Banking

Risk and Stability in Islamic Banking
Pejman Abedifar, Philip Molyneux, Amine Tarazi
April 2011

Abstract: "This paper investigates risk and stability features of Islamic banking using a simultaneous modeling framework and a sample of 456 banks from 22 countries between 2001 and 2008. We find no significant difference between Islamic and conventional banks in terms of insolvency risk. The results on credit risk suggest that Islamic banks write-off credits more frequently or/and have lower loan recoverability compared to conventional banks. We also observe that Islamic banks benefit less than conventional banks from the negative impact of asset size on both their credit and insolvency risks. Our results are robust to different samples, estimation procedures, risk variables and other modeling specifications."
Share/Bookmark

18.4.11

A Universal Platform for Shari'a Compliant Equity Screening

A Universal Platform for Shari'a Compliant Equity Screening
Oxford Islamic Finance & Dar Al Istithmar
White Paper
July 2009
Share/Bookmark

13.4.11

Muslim BRIC has arrived

Muslim BRIC has arrived
By Rushdi Siddiqui
Business Times
April 2011

"On April 4, Thomson Reuters, along with their partners, IdealRatings, and World Halal Forum launched the SAMI Halal Food index. The SAMI Halal food index stands for Socially Acceptable Market Investments.

The index is about the beginning of convergence between Islamic finance and Halal industry. But, more importantly, its about Muslim country inward investing as Muslims, presently as 'consumer investors' in these halal food firms become shareholder investors.

Now, within the 'BRIC context,' SAMI stands for Saudi, Ankara, Malaysia and Indonesia. Without getting into the multitude of economic and financial numbers for these four countries on GDP growth, inflation, foreign direct investment, exports, debt capital market development, population growth patterns, and so on, we have a compelling established emerging market that happens to be Muslim countries on the old Silk Road."

Read more: Muslim BRIC has arrived
Share/Bookmark

11.4.11

Thought Leadership: the Neglected Essence of Islamic Finance

Thought Leadership: the neglected essence of Islamic Finance
Director, Hatim El Tahir
Deloitte’s Islamic Finance Knowledge Center
August 2010

"Have Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) around the world, including the Gulf region, been so busy structuring products and services that they have overlooked the importance of communicating the essence of Islamic Finance?"


This is quite possibly the most important issue facing the industry today and has the potential of being the main determinant of its future.
Share/Bookmark