Podcast 30 mins

Episode 3: Shariah-Compliant Alternative Investments: Insights with Sheikh Isam Ishaq (Subtitles)

In this episode of Arcapita Perspectives, host Mohammed Chowdhury delves into Islamic finance with Sheikh Isam Ishaq, a prominent Shari’ah scholar and member of the Shari’ah Board of AAOIFI. Sheikh Isam shares his expertise on key topics, including:

  • The origins of Islamic banking and its focus on investment banking.
  • Differences in advising retail banks vs. alternative investment firms.
  • Balancing substance and form to ensure Shari’ah compliance.
  • The Islamic perspective on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and their challenges.
  • The role of green and ethical investing (ESG) in Islamic finance.

The episode highlights how Islamic finance addresses modern financial challenges while staying true to Shari’ah principles, offering insights into its ethical approach to wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

Sheikh Esam  Mohamed Ishaq
Sheikh Esam Mohamed Ishaq
Chairman of Shari’ah Supervisory Board, Chairman of Shari’ah Executive Committee

Sh. Esam is the Deputy Chairman of the Governance and Ethics Board of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), Member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Bahrain, and Chairman & member of several Shari’ah Supervisory Boards of Islamic banks and financial institutions. He is the Chairman of the Board of Muslim Educational Society, Member of Discover Islam Center Board, and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Iman School in Bahrain.

Mohammed Chowdhury
Mohammed Chowdhury
Chief Financial Officer, Member of the Executive Committee

Mohammed is a Founding Partner, Chief Financial Officer, and Member of the Executive Committee at Arcapita. He is responsible for overseeing the Corporate Finance, Shari’ah, Corporate Accounts, Investment Administration, and Reporting functions at Arcapita. Prior to joining Arcapita in 1998, Mohammed spent nine years working with Ernst & Young in Bahrain and KPMG in London. He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mohammed is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has an MBA from the London Business School, UK.

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