Book 686

"Many books have been written on Islamic financial markets but this is the first book to introduce all of the essential topics in one volume. The authors, two of the best known authorities in Islamic economics, finance and banking, also incorporate valuable examples and practical discussions that will offer better understanding of this emerging market. They should be congratulated for providing students and practitioners with a text that places Islamic finance and banking squarely within the context of Islamic teachings and modern finance and banking practices." --Hossein Askari, Iran Professor of International Business and International Affairs, George Washington University "An Introduction to Islamic Finance is an excellent introduction to the principles of Islamic finance. The authors provide necessary background to the subject, as well as succinct description of the main products and processes. This book will be of value to anyone looking to invest or issue in the Islamic finance markets."
--Professor Moorad Choudhry, Department of Economics, London Metropolitan University "Islamic financial markets have made remarkable progress during the last two decades and this burgeoning growth has increased the appetite for financiers and bankers to understand more of this emerging market. Incorporating useful references to historical practices and financial instruments used by Muslim societies, An Introduction to Islamic Finance will serve as a very useful resource for anyone interested in the subject. The authors should be congratulated for their insightful and practical contribution." --Professor Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim, Secretary-General, Islamic Financial Services Board "Considerable experience in dealing with finance and its role in development have gone into this timely publication. The insights offered by the authors should be especially helpful to Islamic banks and financial institutions in redesigning risk-management and diversification of portfolios. This makes An Introduction to Islamic Finance one of the best books on the topic so far." --Dr.
Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqi, Professor of Economics, Islamic Economics Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah (Retired)

Book 736

The Stability of Islamic Finance main focus is on the question of the sources of financial instability which seems inherent in the conventional system. As a core component of this focus, the book will consider episodes of turbulence and instability in a historical context recalling the occurrence of such events from mid-19th century to the present. It will present various theoretical explanations along with solutions and alternative financial systems that avoid instability provided by various scholars dating back to mid-19th century to present. The book then will present and discuss the architecture of an Islamic financial system and show that at its core, this system shares many characteristics of an stable financial system proposed by Western scholars throughout history to avoid the inherent instability of the present dominant system. Particular emphasis will be placed on the present financial crisis and its causes as well the financial crisis of the 1997 in Southeast Asia, Russia, and Latin America relating these episodes to the fundamental features of the dominant system. The debt crisis of the low income countries will also be part of this discussion.
It will then argue that these crises could be mitigated under an Islamic system or any other system with similar architecture.

Book 737

This is an extremely valuable book written by three highly qualified scholars whose credentials for writing such a book are difficult to match. The timing of the book is also perfect, having come at a time when the worst financial crisis in living memory has intensified the quest for reform of the international architecture. The proposals made by the authors should go a long way in not only reforming the system but also in accelerating the move towards financial globalization and convergence of the conventional and Islamic financial systems. Dr. Umer Chapra Prominent Scholar of Islamic Economics and currently Research Advisor Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Globalization and Islamic Finance, by three well-respected authors in Islamic finance, provides a thought-provoking analysis of an important and topical issue, particularly, given the global impact of the current financial and economic crises. The book is the first attempt to make a compelling case of convergence between globalization and Islamic finance.
Askari, Iqbal and Mirakhor should be praised for this serious effort, which is a must-read for academics and practitioners interested in Islamic finance. Professor Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim Secretary General Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) This book has a robust discussion of the growth and spread of Islamic finance within the umbrella of globalization. The book provides a unique view of Islamic finance, not only from the perspective of how Islamic finance fits within globalization in general, but globalization of finance in particular. This is a must read for anyone interested in the complex and complicated world of Islamic finance. Scheherazade S. Rehman, Ph.D. Director, European Union Research Center Professor of International Finance, School of Business The George Washington University I have not come across any literature that has delved so intensely in financial globalization, in particular Islamic finance. Due to this reason, I would encourage all interested in this area to read this book. Hajah Salma Latiff Managing Director, Crescent Sdn. Bhd.
Former Director, Centre for Islamic Banking, Finance and Management (CIBFM), Universiti Brunei Darussalam The recent crisis has evoked wide interest in Islamic finance publications. Globalization and Islamic Finance is both timely and needed. Sani Hamid Director, Wealth Management Financial Alliance (Singapore)

Book 754

New Issues in Islamic Finance & Economics: Progress and Challenges provides a review of the main issues and challenges facing Islamic finance. The application of Islamic finance is currently limited to banking. This book starts with an overview of the factors and motives behind the development of Islamic finance. A critical review of issues facing the industry is provided followed by a detailed analysis of areas where further attention is required. The book offers some original thinking on issues pertaining to governance, institutions, public finance and economic development within an Islamic financial system.


Gain deeper insight into the principles and theory of Islamic economics Introduction to Islamic Economics: Theory and Application provides an overview of the organizing principles and fundamentals of an Islamic economy. With deep discussion of the characteristics, rationale, key institutions, objectives, and instruments at work, the book addresses the core economic principles underlying a system based on the foundational teachings of Islam, and examines the implications for economic policies. Social welfare, economic justice, market functionality, efficiency, and equity are explored from an Islamic perspective, and the role and instruments of fiscal and monetary policy in Islamic systems are used to illustrate contemporary applications. Universities around the globe are offering courses on Islamic economics and finance, but despite the industry's rapid growth, most research has been focused on the financial principles rather than underlying economic principles. The first book of its kind, Introduction to Islamic Economics brings all the key concepts together into one reference volume.
By outlining the ways in which Islamic finance and Islamic economics interrelate, this book can help readers to: * Develop an understanding of the Islamic economic system and its institutional scaffolding * Differentiate between the major characteristics of the dominant conventional economy and one based on the fundamental sources of Islam * Understand the conditions that must be met for a just, well-balanced, stable, and growing economy * Clarify the role of State, public policy, and risk-sharing in the Islamic financial system The Islamic financial system is expanding quickly, and those looking to increase their relevance in a changing economic landscape must get up to speed. Introduction to Islamic Economics provides a comprehensive overview of underlying economic system offering a deeper understanding of the feature of the system. This book is an excellent complement to Introduction to Islamic Finance, 2E by Iqbal and Mirakhor.

How the Islamic finance approach to risk can serve as a model for global reform The recent U.S. financial debacle has affected the entire world and led to major reviews of risk management in financial institutions. Perhaps a simpler alternative is just to adopt the systems used for centuries in Islamic finance. Risk Sharing in Finance expounds upon this novel idea, suggesting that the Islamic financial system can be developed for use around the world by providing a helpful paradigm for crafting global financial reforms. Demonstrating how Islamic finance can successfully expand its array of risk sharing instruments, for example issuing government shares to finance development projects and placing limits on short sales and leveraging, the book makes a compelling case for thinking outside the box to redevelop a vibrant stock market.
* Provides analysis of the comparative historical, theoretical, and empirical investigation of risk management in both the conventional and the Islamic-type financial systems * Explores the benefits and the implications of introducing Islamic finance around the world and explains how wider reliance on risk sharing can be implemented * Establishes a connection between the flawed contemporary Western system of capitalist finance and the ancient, traditional forms of risk-sharing prevalent in Islamic finance Offering a timely look at financial reform, Risk Sharing in Finance draws on the expertise of author Zamir Iqbal of the World Bank, along with a host of co-authors Abbas Mirakhor, Hossein Askari, and Noureddine Krichene to present a new form of financial reform.