Episode 27-Profit Over Principles? The Ethical Dilemma in Islamic Finance

The modern Islamic finance industry has grown since the 1970s into a $5 trillion industry. Critics argue that despite its ethical roots, it often prioritizes shareholder returns over impact investing. 

Whilst Islamic finance shares principles with ethical finance, it usually focuses on profits rather than social and environmental outcomes. 

In our 27th episode, we spoke to Reza Jaufeerally, a specialist in Islamic and ethical finance at the University of Leuven in Belgium. 

In our discussion, we touch on several topics

• Unpacking what impact investing is
• Why Islamic finance struggles with impact investing
• How to enhance Islamic impact investing in Muslim-majority countries

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

Reza's Twitter (now X) handle-https://x.com/RZJ1

Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr; If by Rudyard Kipling

Intro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay

Chapters

• 0:18 Intro
• 1:43 Beginning of discussion
• 4:30 Reza's background
• 7:56 What is impact investing?
• 13:58 Islamic finance and impact investing the same thing?
• 18:55 Islamic finance missing impact
• 25:33 What is the real economy?
• 30:55 Has Islamic finance tried to be more impactful?
• 42:44 Transitioning from halal to tayyab
• 49:05 Can tech solutions help?
• 51:53 Syria as climate risk example
• 54:55 Space sector and climate
• 56:40 Reza's Islamic impact projects
• 1:02:24 Social media accounts