scholarly journals Fifth Harvard University Forum Islamic Finance

2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-162
Author(s):  
Zaid AJbarzinji
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Professor Emeritus ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Development Bank ◽  
Financial Industry ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Past Experiences

Each year, the Harvard Islamic Finance Information Program (HIFIP) of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies organizes this forum. This year's forum had an international flavor, thanks to participants from Malaysia, South Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Participants were mainly finance industry representatives from the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Finance House, HSBC Amanah Finance, the Dow Jones Islamic Index, Bank Indonesia, Freddie Mac, and others. In addition, several experts in Islamic economics and finance, such as Monzer Kahf, M. Nejatullah Siddiqi, Nizam Yaquby, and Frank E. Vogel participated. Many other participants sought to educate themselves about the principles of Islamic finance and the availability of lslamically approved financial products. Overall, the forum was more of an opportunity for those interested in Islamic finance to meet each other, network, and present some of their latest lslamically approved financial instruments and contracts. The forum fea­tured a few research papers and many case studies. Most presentations and panel discussions focused on current and past experiences in the Islamic finance industry, challenges facing the development of new financial instru­ments, effective marketing and delivery of products to end-users, and areas where applying jjtihad is most needed and promising. Participants also dis­cussed the need to develop relevant financial institutions to strengthen the stability and perfonnance of Islamic financial service providers ( e.g., man­aging liquidity and risk). Thomas Mullins, HIFIP's executive director, welcomed the guests. He stressed the Islamic finance industry's important role in creating a dialogue between I slam and the West - a role made especially relevant after Septem­ber 11. Forum chairperson Samuel Hayes, Jacob Schiff Professor Emeritus at Harvard Business School, used his opening remarks to commend the industry on its many accomplishments during the past decade and outlined areas for improvement. In his introduction, Saif Shah Mohammed, presi­dent of the Harvard Islamic Society, suggested that the industry should prer vide relevant services to students, such as Shari'ah-compliant educational loans and young professional programs. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), delivered the keynote address: "The Emerging Islamic Financial Architecture: The Way Ahead." He discussed the infrastructure required to strengthen the Islamic financial industry, which is in a process of evolution. Some recent major initiatives include the Accounting and Auditing Organ­ization for Islamic Financial Institutions, the Islamic Financial Services Organization, an international Islamic financial market with a liquidity management center, and an Islamic rating agency. Currently, there are ...

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis on Shariah Governance in Malaysia: SGF 2010, IFSA 2013 and SGPD 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Iqmal Hisham Kamaruddin ◽  
Mustafa Mohd Hanefah ◽  
Zurina Shafii ◽  
Supiah Salleh ◽  
Nurazalia Zakaria
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
The World ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Shariah Governance

The main focus of shariah governance for an organization is to ensure that it is comply with shariah laws and regulations. Under Islamic finance industry, shariah governance is being given attention due to rapid growth of this industry in the world. For Malaysia, the authority through Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) have taken a proactive role by introducing shariah governance guidelines including the Shariah Governance Framework (SGF) 2010, the Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) 2013 and the latest is the Shariah Governance Policy Document (SGPD) 2019. These shariah governance guidelines are supposed to support the development of shariah governance practices especially by Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Malaysia. However, there is limited to none study conducted to compare these guidelines. These shariah governance guidelines is necessary to be compared in order to find out whether these guidelines are complemented each other and to identify any differences among these guidelines. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare between these shariah governance guidelines. Based on the analysis, it has been found that SGPD 2019 is the most comprehensive covers on shariah governance as compared to IFSA 2013 and SGF 2010. However, these three guidelines still not become comprehensive enough, as there is still limited to none discussion on the definition and objectives of shariah governance itself.

scholarly journals Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) 2013 and the Sharīʿah-compliance requirement of the Islamic finance industry in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Akram Laldin ◽  
Hafas Furqani
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

Purpose This paper aims to observe the development of the Sharīʿah governance framework (SGF) and practice in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The study is a qualitative-based research. It uses various documents and content analysis approach to understand and analyze the structure, process and practice of SGF in IFIs in Malaysia. Findings It is found that the Central Bank of Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, has attempted to develop a comprehensive framework of Sharīʿah governance for IFIs in Malaysia. The framework governs the practice of the industry, covers stakeholders’ scope of duties and responsibilities and provides details on processes and procedures in the operations of IFIs to achieve the objective of Sharīʿah compliance. To maintain the relevance of the SGF to the needs of the industry, the framework has also been updated recently in 2017. The amendments aim to strengthen the effectiveness of Sharīʿah governance implementation within the Islamic finance industry. Originality/value This study attempts to comprehensively examine the evolution of the SGF Sharīʿah governance framework for IFIs in Malaysia. The Malaysian model of the SGF is unique and could be emulated by other countries in developing the Islamic finance industry in their respective jurisdictions.

scholarly journals Peranan Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) Sebagai Lembaga Muhtasib Dalam Industri Keuangan Syariah di Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Abdul Salam ◽  
Syaiful Muhammad Irsyad
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Financial Service ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Financial Industry ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Service Activities

<p>In Indonesia, one of the institutions that can be considered a Muhtasib institution in the sharia financial sector is the Financial Services Authority (OJK). As Law Number 21 of 2011, the OJK has the function of organizing an integrated system of regulation and supervision of all activities in the financial services sector which include financial service activities in the Banking sector; financial service activities in the Capital Market sector; and financial service activities in the Insurance, Pension Funds, Financing Institutions and Other Financial Services Institutions sectors, including the Islamic finance industry sector. This study will unravel the extent of the role of the FSA as the Muhtasib in the Islamic finance industry in Indonesia, especially in the regional areas of Central Java and D.I. Yogyakarta.</p><p>This research did 2 (two) kinds of research, they are field of study and literature study. The collecting data of this research through observation and non-structured interview. The methode of data collection is conducting  interviews  with  the Central Java OJK, OJK D.I. Yogyakarta.</p><p>The conclusion of this study is that the role of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Regional Region 3 of Central Java and Yogyakarta as a Muhtasib institution in supervising the Islamic financial industry in Central Java and Yogyakarta is quite significant, although with some notes, including the position of OJK Regional 3 Central Java and DIY Yogyakarta which is only able to reach Islamic financial institutions (LKS) whose head office is located in Central Java and Yogyakarta, while LKS only has branch offices in Central Java and Yogyakarta Yogyakarta. Is the authority of the Regional OJK 3 of Central Java and DIYogyakarta, meaning that it is the domain of the authority of the Central OJK in Jakarta. The problem is if there is a violation or an act that is against the law, then the Regional OJK 3 of Central Java and D.I. Yogyakarta is only reporting or coordinating with the Central OJK. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Region 3 of Central Java and Yogyakarta Yogyakarta has carried out its function as an actress in the context of violations of law or criminal acts, in which the OJK has played a function as an investigator and then reported to law enforcement officials (APH ) and submitted to the judicial process. However, related to the implementation of the Microfinance Institution Law, OJK has not been able to carry out its function as a constitutional acter in enforcing Article 39 of the LKM Law regarding the existence of BMTs in the community which should abide and comply with licensing regulations under the OJK</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong><strong> </strong><strong>Financial Services Authority, Muhtasib Institution, Sharia Financial Industry</strong></p>

scholarly journals Guest Editors’ Notes: COVID-19: The Pandemic’s Impacts on The Economy and Realisation of Maqasid Al-Shariah and Islamic Finance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Amir Shaharuddin
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Special Edition ◽  
Financial Industry ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Working From Home ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
The Right

The COVID-19 pandemic have a sudden and significant impacts to the economies globally. It changes the business landscape and how and what consumers buy dramatically. During the enforcement of lockdown, businesses particularly in airline and tourism sectors experienced sharp fall of demand and services. In Malaysia, it is reported that a total of 170,084 hotel room bookings during the period 11 January 2020 until 16 March 2020 had been cancelled, which caused a loss of revenue amounting to RM68,190,364 (Foo et al., 2020). The phenomenon has affected gross domestic product (GDP) growth, household consumption, inflation and unemployment rates. A substantial numbers of small and medium enterprises (SME) face difficult times to survive which resulted many employees have lost jobs or to accept salary cut. It is anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to another global economic crisis. Hence, governments had taken specific intervention policies to sustain the domestic markets during the full swing of the pandemic and during the post-war recovery to boost back the economy into the right track. The policies aimed at preventing employees from losing their jobs, securing renters and homeowners from evicting properties, avoiding companies from bankruptcy, and maintaining business and trade networks. Central banks across the globe have cut profit and interest rates in providing liquidity to keep moving the business sectors and household spending. In addition, some governments in emerging economies have granted moratorium to assist people who are affected by the pandemic. Nevertheless, the domestic policies will have their own challenges including high level of public debt. Thus, the government and central banks have critical roles to play in formulating the right monetary, fiscal and financial policies for their respective countries.  The COVID-19 pandemic has changed consumer spending patterns and behaviour. While most industries suffered from decline demand, there are industries which benefit from the pandemic outbreak. Cloud computing, video conferencing, electronic payments, online food delivery, frozen foods and beverages (F&B) businesses are experiencing rapid growth. The COVID-19 is pushing companies to swiftly operate in new ways by accelerating digital transformation. Another impact brought by the pandemic is workforce disruption. COVID-19 has made working from home as a new normal. The notion of traditional working environment in an office eight hours a day, five days a week has suddenly become obsolete. Employees now has the flexibility of remote working which help in reducing the traffic congestion. However, as some employers consider to make working from home a permanent arrangement it would significantly affect office commercial space sector. Based on these economic impacts of COVID-19, the special edition of Journal of Muamalat and Islamic Finance Research (JMIFR) aims at documenting current research and academic works related to the topics. This special edition intends to demonstrate how Islamic financial industry react and overcome the new challenges during the pandemic. In doing so, the objective of Shariah (Maqasid al-Shariah) is adopted as the guiding principle in assessing any issues or measures taken for the benefits of various industry’s stakeholders. With a total asset of more than USD2 trillion globally, Islamic finance industry has contributed significantly to the development of Muslim communities in many parts of the world. Thus, it is interesting to examine how the Islamic finance industry’s stakeholders including regulators, Shariah fraternity, industry practitioners and customers act to remain resilient under the adverse economic scenarios.  The realization of the principle of Maqasid al-Shariah in Islamic banking operations is an on-going project. The Maqasid al-Shariah principles necessitate that Islamic banking and financial institutions to safeguard the wealth of all different stakeholders with fair business dealings. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a true test to the Islamic financial institutions on how they apply the concept of Maqasid al-Shariah in their decisions to achieve a balanced and win-win situation during the challenging times. Islamic financial institutions are expected to take more responsible approach in supporting those who are affected by the pandemic.

Building trust in Islamic finance products and services

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Nazim Ali
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
The Past ◽  
Building Trust ◽  
Central Tenet ◽  
Stake Holder ◽  
Perceived Impact

Purpose With the increasing instances of malfeasance and frauds coming to light in the financial services industry, trust has become a key concern for customers. Fortunately, in the case of Islamic Finance, trust is a central tenet, and its importance can be seen through the emphasis of Amanah or trustworthiness that should be present in every financial transaction. However, it has been argued that the principle of trust has not been truly realized in Islamic Finance, or that there are still issues of distrust regarding anything which is obtrusively branded as “Islamic”. In this paper, the author will analyze the reasons for gaps between the expectations and reality of the finance industry today by looking at the main factors contributing to distrust among the different stakeholders and the perceived impact of the distrust on the industry and the general public. It then focuses on the past and ongoing efforts by academia to bridge these gaps between the different stake holder groups with the help of illustrative case studies as well as recommends future steps to be taken to ensure a stronger foundation of trust within the Islamic Finance community.

scholarly journals Towards New Sharia Governance for Islamic Financial Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-58
Author(s):  
Abdulazeem Abozaid
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Banking And Finance ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Regulatory Authorities ◽  
Governance Model ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Shariah Governance

Since its inception a few decades ago, the industry of Islamic banking and finance has been regulating itself in terms of Sharia governance. Although some regulatory authorities from within the industry, such as Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), the Islamic banking and finance industry remains to a great extent self-regulated. This is because none of the resolutions or the regulatory authorities' standards are binding on the Islamic financial institution except when the institution itself willingly chooses to bind itself by them. Few countries have enforced some Sharia-governance-related regulations on their Islamic banks. However, in most cases, these regulations do not go beyond the requirement to formulate some Sharia controlling bodies, which are practically left to the same operating banks. Furthermore, some of the few existing regulatory authorities' standards and resolutions are conflicted with other resolutions issued by Fiqh academies. The paper addresses those issues by highlighting the shortcomings and then proposing the necessary reforms to help reach effective Shariah governance that would protect the industry from within and help it achieve its goals. The paper concludes by proposing a Shariah governance model that should overcome the challenges addressed in the study.Pada awal berdiri, Lembaga Keuangan Syariah merupakan lembaga keuangan yang menerapkan Hukum Syariah secara mandiri dalam sistem operasionalnya. Ia tidak tunduk pada peraturan lembaga keuangan konvensional, sehingga dapat terus berkomiten dalam menerapkan Hukum Syariah secara benar. Selanjutnya, muncullah beberapa otoritas peraturan yang berasal dari pengembangan Lembaga Keuangan Syariah. Diantaranya adalah Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) dan Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). Hal ini tidak menyimpang dari kerangka peraturan Hukum Syariah, sebab standar peraturan dan keputusan yang dikeluarkan ditujukan khusus untuk Lembaga Keuangan Syariah saja. Beberapa Negara telah menerapkan peraturan tata kelola Hukum Syariah pada Bank Syariah mereka. Namun dalam banyak kasus, peraturan yang diterapkan tidak mampu mengontrol Lembaga Keuangan Syariah tersebut secara penuh. Sehingga, secara praktis proses pengawasan diserahkan kepada lembaga keuangan yang beroperasi. Akan tetapi, beberapa standar dan keputusan yang dikeluarkan oleh sebagian pemangku kebijakan bertentangan dengan keputusan yang dikeluarkan oleh beberapa akademi Fiqh. Artikel ini ditulis untuk menyoroti permasalahan yang timbul pada tata kelola Lembaga Keuangan Syariah, khususnya kekurangan yang tampak pada sistem tata kelola. Kemudian, penulis akan mengajukan usulan tentang efektifitas tata kelola Lembaga Keuangan Syariah yang bebas dari permasalahan.

What Policy for Islamic Financial Literacy?

10.26414/a148 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Tahiri Jouti
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Literacy Policy ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Behaviour

This paper addresses the concept of financial literacy in Islamic finance and suggests a methodology to elaborate an effective Islamic financial literacy policy (IFLP). Based on a literature review, the paper summarizes the conclusions of studies and surveys conducted in the field of conventional financial literacy while identifying the specificities of the Islamic finance industry. Indeed, the paper would help financial authorities and Islamic financial institutions in elaborating Islamic financial literacy policies (IFLPs) in order to contribute to the sustainable growth of the industry. It promotes the idea that qualitative aspects are worth studying when elaborating an Islamic financial literacy policy that has to take into account many factors such as the maturity of the industry, the objectives of the policy (inclusion or migration), the degree of Shari’ah awareness, the understanding of Arabic terminologies, etc. Finally, the IFLP measurement should include quantitative (Total reach and number of people reached) as well as qualitative aspects (level of financial literacy, impact on financial behaviour).

When Technology Meets Finance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Yousif Abdullatif Albastaki
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Major Part ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Financial Industry ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
The Internet Of Things

There is a paradigm shift in the financial services industry. Combined with ever-changing customer expectations and preferences, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the internet of things (IoT), and blockchain are redefining how financial institutions deliver services. It is an enormous task to remain competitive in this ever-changing environment. Financial institutions see FinTech as a major part of the digital future, and as proof of this, since 2015, financial institutions have invested over US$ 27 billion in FinTech and digital innovation. This chapter is an introductory chapter that explores FinTech in the literature. It focuses on how FinTech is reshaping the financial industry by describing FinTech phases and development process. The financial products and services using FinTech are also described with a highlight on Islamic FinTech. The chapter finally concludes by describing the future of FinTech.

Part I Introduction, 1 Status of the Global Islamic Finance Industry

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warde Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Global Finance ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Political Economic

This introductory chapter provides an overview of Islamic finance. Modern Islamic finance did not come out of nowhere. It appeared as the result of specific historical circumstances in the 1970s, and later evolved through a complex process of trial-and-error. It was also shaped by broader competitive and political–economic factors. Although religion was by definition central to Islamic finance, other variables—political, economic, social, cultural, and demographic—also played a significant role. No longer confined to the outer fringes of global finance, Islamic finance has also gone mainstream. Most major financial institutions are now involved in one way or another in Islamic finance, as are global consulting, accounting, and information companies. Within the Islamic world, Islamic financial institutions have become major economic players.

Islamic Finance in India

2016 ◽  
pp. 263-285
Author(s):  
Wasiullah Shaik Mohammed ◽  
Abdur Raqeeb H ◽  
Khalid Waheed
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial System ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Finance Industry ◽  
Financial Regulations ◽  
Capital Financing

In order to provide financial services effectively to almost 1.21 billion people, India has adopted a comprehensive financial system governed under a number of financial regulations. These regulations, through regular amendments, are kept updated and inclusive of modern financial concepts that emerge in national and international markets. Islamic finance is one of such modern concepts emerged at global level. Growing with an annual growth rate of 15-20 percent the Islamic finance industry is holding total assets, value estimated to be more than USD 1.6 trillion. Hence, the authors, in this paper tried to study the feasibility of providing Islamic financial services in India, especially in the areas of Retail banking, Microfinance, Venture Capital financing. The objective of this paper is to identify the major regulatory challenges facing Islamic finance and to propose the possible solutions so as to make this emerging industry an internal part of the Indian financial system.

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