5 Interactive Distance Learning Programs on Islamic Banking and Finance

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Turkey and World Bank Group Reinforce Cooperation on Improving Islamic Finance and the Country’s Investment Climate

The world bank will open its first center on Islamic Finance

ISTANBUL — World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today opened the Global Center for Islamic Finance, together with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, as part of a two-day visit to Turkey that focused on enhancing the partnership between the Bank Group and Turkey – the second largest World Bank Group client and a growing key regional player.

The Global Center is envisaged as a knowledge hub for developing Islamic finance globally, conducting research and training, and providing technical assistance and advisory services to World Bank Group client countries interested in developing Islamic financial institutions and markets.

On the occasion of the opening, Kim stated that the Center is a symbol of the Bank Group’s shared objectives of developing Islamic finance and maximizing its contribution to poverty alleviation and shared prosperity in client countries.

“It is my hope that this Center will become the cornerstone for these efforts, serving as a knowledge hub,” emphasized World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, “with Turkey taking a leading role in designing and delivering cutting-edge technical assistance, advisory services, as well as generating and disseminating practical knowledge on how to make Islamic finance more relevant for growth and development.”

Earlier in his trip, Kim attended the 5th Izmir Economic Congress, a national economic forum that helps shape the economic policy agenda of the country for the coming years. In his opening remarks, Kim underlined the twin goals of the World Bank Group to end extreme poverty by 2030 and boost shared prosperity for the bottom 40 percent in developing countries.

“Turkey’s economic achievements are an inspiration for many other developing countries,”said Kim.  He added “We look forward to continuing our productive partnership with Turkey to help sustain your impressive achievements, to overcome your remaining challenges, and to share your remarkable experience with countries around the globe.”

Subsequently, Kim took part in a moderated panel discussion on current global economic developments with Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan.

In earlier meetings with Turkish President Abdullah Gül, Kim informed the Turkish leader of the new World Bank Group Strategy, how the Bank can share its global experience and knowledge, and the scope for increasing the Bank Group’s financial capacity and, hence, its relevance in middle-income countries. The two leaders also exchanged views on Turkey’s growing regional and global role.

Kim met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Their discussion covered a range of issues, including Turkey’s broader development agenda, developments in the neighboring region, and how to evolve the Bank’s longstanding partnership with Turkey to cover cooperation and knowledge sharing in other countries. “Turkey has the history, capacity, and accumulated knowledge from experience to play a large and responsible role as a development partner and emerging donor,” stressed Kim.

Prior to concluding his visit to Turkey, President Kim will attend the 8th Investment Advisory Council (IAC) of Turkey at the invitation of Prime Minister Erdoğan.  The IAC is an annual gathering of top national and international private sector representatives to share their views on Turkey's competitive position in the world economy and advise on how to improve the flow of foreign investment. The IAC gathering came two days after the release of the 2014 Doing Business rankings, which saw Turkey marginally improve its position to 69th place among 189 countries.

Turkey joined the World Bank in 1947. Today, the Bank’s portfolio is concentrated and strategically focused, with 11 investment projects and US$4.6 billion net commitments. Over the last decade, the Bank has worked with Turkey on maintaining prudent macroeconomic policies, restructuring the country’s banking system, making public administration more efficient, restructuring the health sector, reforming the energy sector, and supporting disaster risk management.  The International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) strategy in Turkey is to support private sector development. Currently, the outstanding portfolio for IFC’s own account is US$2.4 billion. Fiscal year 2013 was a record year for the IFC in Turkey with US$985 million of investments in 20 projects. Turkey is MIGA’s 8th largest country by gross exposure, representing about 4.2 percent of MIGA’s gross portfolio. MIGA’s portfolio consists of 6 projects with a gross exposure of US$454 million.

About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is comprised of five institutions: the World Bank, which is made up of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which provides financing, risk management products, and other financial services to middle-income countries; the International Development Association (IDA), which provides interest-free loans and grants to the poorest countries; the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which makes equity investments, and provides loans, guarantees, and advisory services to private-sector business in developing countries; the Bank Group’s political risk insurance agency, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which provides international facilities for conciliation and arbitration of investment disputes.


Source: World Bank


Monday, December 30, 2013

Islamic Microfinance Model to help alleviate poverty

(ISLAMABAD) Speakers at a seminar here called for following interest free Islamic microfinance model in order to eliminate poverty from the country.  The seminar was organized on Monday by Al-Huda Centre of Islamic Banking & Economics (CIBE) and AKHUWAT. 

The aim of the seminar was to choke out the plan of poverty  alleviation on national and international scale to lessen poverty, social welfare and to tackle other problems pertaining to it. 

Delegates from Malaysia, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Mauritius and other countries participated in the event who spoke on various topics of Islamic microfinance i.e. methodology of poverty reduction, Zakat, Shariah implications, Dard-e-Hasna, Waqf models, latest trends of Islamic microfinance, technological application of poverty alleviation and usage of Islamic microfinance in non muslim societies. 

Speakers said poverty has risen as one of the most crucial problems of the decade hitching fastest development of the countries on national and international level.  
Islam is the only religion that takes the responsibility of poverty alleviation as one of its main obligations. Zakat, Ushar, Waqaf, Fitrana, Qard-e-Hasna, Murabaha, Ijarah, Musharaka etc have the qualities to sustain society from the plague of poverty. 

“This was the major reason of worldwide recognition of Islamic microfinance as a sustainable source of lessening poverty from the society.
It is a pleasurable factor that more than 2 million beneficiaries are taking the edge of Islamic microfinance worldwide”, speakers added. 

Speakers said that internationally, microfinance was considered a  viable prospective to alleviate poverty but its sustainability was related to high interest rates. “Islamic Microfinance Model like Akhuwat interest-free micro-lending is not less than a miracle as it has proven all the existing viewpoints regarding microfinance wrong by providing interest free funding to the poor”, Athar Axeem Khan, an economist said. 
Dr. Amjad Saqib, Executive Director Akhuwat said that so far the organization has provided funding in the shape of Qarz-e-Hasna  worth of Rs. 1.1 billion to 94,000 families. He said that the recovery percentage remained 99.85 per cent.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

A New Venture Established to Strengthen Islamic Finance in France and USA


(Dubai - UAE) A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Al Huda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) and Franco-American Alliance for Islamic Finance (FAAIF) to cooperate in the development of Islamic banking and finance in France and the United States. Both parties agreed to work together, leveraging their different areas of regional and professional expertise of Islamic finance and synergizing their skills for the broader goal of promoting and developing Islamic finance worldwide, especially in the Franco – American region. 

MOU Signing Ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates today, in which Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Officer of Al Huda CIBE and Camille Paldi, Chief Executive Officer of FAAIF signed the agreement. During the media briefing, Camille Paldi mentioned that she is excited to bring Islamic financial services, training, and expertise to her home country the United States after having spent many years’ education & training abroad in Islamic finance, law, and Shari'ah. With her strong knowledge of Islamic banking, finance, Shari'ah, and law, Paldi hopes to impact the financial services sector in the USA, helping to boost the economy and steer the nation in a new direction. Paldi is excited to utilize her international network to help achieve this purpose, starting with this MOU with AlHuda CIBE. 

While discussing the importance of this MOU, CEO of AlHuda CIBE, Zubair Mughal said that this is the right time to introduce Islamic financial solutions to the Western world so that they may explore the option of solving financial dilemmas and crises with Islamic financial instruments, derived from the Holy Book. Zubair said that AlHuda CIBE will extend their scope of services in European and American markets through the help of FAAIF. He also mentioned that AlHuda's services in these regions would include Islamic finance product Development services, sukuk structuring, Takaful development, and Shari'ah advisory. He also mentioned that Alhuda CIBE already has a very strong professional network in Central Asia, the Middle East, and African regions, but through this MOU, Moghul plans to extend their scope in the American markets as well. 

AlHuda CIBE is a well-established brand in the international Islamic finance and banking industry focusing on Advisory, Consulting, Capacity, and Shariah Advisory services, while FAAIF is an emerging Alliance of Franco – American financial experts, which is headed by renowned legal and Islamic financial expert Camille Paldi.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Tunisia has big potential for Islamic Finance: Zubair Mughal

Tunisia would be the global hub of Islamic Finance for French speaking countries

There are big opportunities to promote Islamic finance in Tunisia which can be the global hub of Islamic Finance for French speaking countries, said by Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Officer - AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) in an international conference on “Finance and Enterprise” jointly organized by World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Sousse – Tunisia, which was attended by the Prime Minister of Tunisia including many government ministers, heads and senior delegates from Central Banks, World Bank, IMF, IFC, European Bank and other dignitaries from different international organizations.

Muhammad Zubair Mughal, being the guest of honor, during his address stated that international financial crisis can be addressed in a better way through Islamic Finance and such financial crisis could have not been happened if Islamic financial system was followed and implemented at that time, he said there are about 2000 Islamic Financial Institutions working globally as Islamic Banks, Takaful ( Islamic Insurance), Sukuk ( Islamic Bonds), Islamic Fund and Islamic Microfinance institutions etc in more than 100 countries and fortunately no Islamic Financial institution was effected by such global financial crisis which ensures the strength and rationality behind the Islamic financial system. He also added that international institutions such as Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and International Islamic Liquidity Management (IILM) are dedicatedly working for Islamic finance around the globe which will further promote and strengthen the Islamic finance in future globally. He, responding to a question related to the relationship between religion and Islamic finance in question answer session, said that Islamic banking and finance is a name of a system not religion so all other religions can get benefit from it and that is why Islamic banking and finance is growing in the western world while non Muslims are utilizing the Islamic financial products, considerably, to fulfill their business, personal and financial needs as in only America which has more than 20 Islamic financial institutions are working, which are actively providing the Islamic financial services to fulfill the financial needs of Muslims and non-Muslims equally.

During his stay in Tunisia, he met with Dr. Amel Amri, President – Tunisian Association for Islamic Finance (TAIF), Dr. Raza, President – Islamic Economic Association Tunisia and heads of some other Islamic financial institutions. He said that Tunisia has a good recognition in Islamic financial industry having 2 full-fledged Islamic banks, Takaful companies, universities with having Islamic finance program, Sukuk Laws and some other similar institutions which are indicating the best future of Islamic finance in Tunisia but he, realizing the need of Islamic microfinance, said that Islamic microfinance is missing component of Islamic finance in Tunisia while socioeconomic development and poverty reduction can be done in better way through Islamic microfinance in Tunisia.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Islamic Microfinance should be Introduced Internationally: Dr. Fatima Al-Blooshi

Three days’ 3rd Global Islamic Microfinance Forum ended in Dubai with a declaration to put joint efforts for the poverty alleviation
(Dubai) Islamic Microfinance is an effective tool for the poverty alleviation and it should be introduced around the globe to state an effective policy for ultimate poverty alleviation from the world, these views were stated by Dr. Fatima Mohamed Yousif Al-Balooshi, Minister (Ministry of Social Development – Bahrain) as a Chief Guest in the 3rd Global Islamic Microfinance Forum (GIMF) held on 6th to 8th October, 2013 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai in which delegates from more than 30 countries participated actively and this Forum was organized and conducted by AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE). She also added that Islamic Microfinance should be presided and supported by the Government in different countries of the world to promote the Islamic Microfinance Institutions. She also admired the endeavors of AlHuda CIBE at the inauguration of 3rd Global Islamic Microfinance Forum on 6th Oct, 2013 and also proposed to conduct the 4th Global Islamic Microfinance Forum in Bahrain.

Muhammad Zubair Mughal (CEO – AlHuda CIBE), addressing to the Forum, said that Poverty is increasing in the Muslim countries rapidly and consequently the half of the world poverty has, approximately, been confined to the Muslim countries in the current age. The involvement of interest in micro financing is one of the major causes behind this phenomenon and that is why Muslims hesitate to avail microfinance facility. If Islamic Microfinance is not introduced resolving this issue, the world’s poverty will increase extraordinarily. He said that the forum aimed at gathering all the Islamic Microfinance Institutions at single platform, to streamline the policies for poverty reduction, to promote the Research and Education in Islamic Microfinance industry and to enhance its outreach on global canvas. He said that current facts to the failure of microfinance system require an alternative and prudent Islamic Microfinance system to the world to enhance the financial inclusion globally and ultimate global economic prosperity.

Addressing to the forum Mr. Mr. Hamdan Mohamed Al Murshidi (President & Chairman of the Board, Arab Business Club, United Arab Emirates) said that there is no other argument to address poverty through Islamic Microfinance as it is the ultimate solution to this problem and also he committed with his reward less services to promote Islamic Microfinance globally. While Mr. Amjad Saqib (Executive Director – Akhuwat) said that Islamic Microfinance is a Hope for the Poor which they (poor) are looking forward to resolve their Social and Economic problems, so Islamic Microfinance should be promoted globally. He, by presenting Akhuwat as a case study, figured out that there are about 380000 families benefitting through Qarz e Hasana from Akhuwat. Meanwhile its portfolio has crossed PKR. 5 billion with an increasing trend day by day.

The forum was attended by Researchers, Scholars and Islamic Microfinance practitioners including: Justice (R) Khalil Ur Rehman (Shariah Advisor – AlBaraka Islamic Bank, Chairmen – Punjab Halal Development Agency – Govt. of Pakistan), Mufti Aziz Ur Rehman (Manager-Shariah, Mawarid Finance – Dubai), Dr. Ajaz Ahmed Khan (Microfinance Advisor, CARE International UK), Mr. Atef Ebrahim (Chief Executive Officer, Family Bank - Bahrain), Mr. Zeinoul Abedien Cajee (Founding CEO/ Management Board, National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa), Mr. Mamode Raffick Nabee Mohomed (Founder/ Secretary, Al Barakah Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Limited – Mauritius), Ms. Rehab Lootah (Managing Director - Mawarid Consultancy Dubai - U.A.E), Mr. Mohamed El Mehdi Zidani (Author - An Islamic Analysis of the Grameen Bank and Director Baraka Editions – France), Mr. Pervez Nasim (Chairmen & CEO, Ansar Financial and Development Corporation – Canada), Mr. Abdul Samad (Shariah Advisor, The Bank of Khyber – Pakistan), Mr. Humayun Saeed Jamshed (Senior Director - Islamic Banking & Finance, SAB – France), Mrs. Thamina Anwar (Founder and CEO, Awqaf New Zealand Mrs. Helena Lutege (Founder and Managing Director, BELITA Fund – Tanzania), Mr. Ali Tariq (Executive Director, Iraqi Microfinance Network – Iraq), Dr. Mohammed Kroessin (Global Microfinance Advisor – UK), Mufti Barkatulla (Sharia Advisor, Islamic Bank of Britain, London, UK) and some other prestigious international speakers addressed in this forum.

Islamic REIT is Mandatory for the Development of Real Estate Industry - Muhammad Zubair Mughal

Micro Housing Finance demand can be satisfied through Islamic REIT

(Kuala Lumpur) Islamic REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is a beautiful addition to the Islamic Finance Industry with which the Real Estate Industry can be promoted internationally. Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal, CEO of AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE), expressed these views during his speech on the topic of “Islamic REITs” in the Two Days Conference “REITs UNLOCKED” (18th Sep, 2013) held in the Capital of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur). He told that first Islamic REIT was launched in 1960 in America and now REIT is actively providing the funds to Real Estate Industry in more than 30 countries of the world including Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, Canada, UK and Australia for the smooth growth and development of Real Estate Industry while the global volume of Real Estate Industry has reached at US $ 850 billion and also it is worth mentioning that 72% of total global investment in Real Estate is still in America but the amazing fact is the least share of Islamic REIT in the global REIT Industry. First Islamic REIT was initiated by Malaysia in June, 2006 and growing rapidly from last 7 years in its age of infancy. 

He added that Islamic Bonds (Sukuk) were used in the Middle East for the development of Real Estate, although this approach was partially successful but not everlasting because Sukuk has some challenges of current upheavals in the property market of Middle East, although the Real Estate market of Middle East can be managed and settled with the induction and execution of Islamic REITs. Inter alia Islamic Banking and Finance market shall have more financial instruments to ensure the Shariah adherence of their investment portfolio through Islamic REITs, which can potentially be used to manage the liquidity of Islamic Financial Institutions. 

He also told that Islamic REITs can be productively used in underdeveloped countries by addressing the demand of Housing Finance and Real Estate as well to satisfy the ultimate demand of micro housing. The Islamic REIT will not only provide the Shariah compliant products to the corporate industry rather it will turn the dream of more than 100 million homeless people into reality around the globe for getting their homes/houses. He mentioned that Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has designed two structures to streamline and grow the REIT Industry and it is expected that, in coming days, the Real Estate Industry will grow through REITs in Pakistan.

"A Big Question Mark on Islamic Finance Industry" by Muhammad Zubair Mughal

Apparently, it is a matter of pleasure that global volume of Islamic Finance Industry has crossed $ 1.3 Trillion approximately, which is, definitely, providing the best and compatible sources of finance with interest free modes. According to a careful estimate, there are more than 2000 Islamic Financial Institutions are offering Islamic Banking, Islamic Insurance (Takaful), Islamic Funds, Mudaraba, Islamic Bonds (Sukuk), Islamic Microfinance and some other institutions actively providing Islamic financial services on different modes in adherence of Shari’ah principles of Islamic Finance. If we look into the market share of above mentioned institutions, we get shocked and depressed for a while with the fact that Islamic Banking and Finance has been nearly confined to the rich people and as per the ideology of capitalism, the profit urge has captured the Islamic Financial Industry and discriminated the underprivileged people and letting them deprived from Islamic financial services. Keeping in view these facts, it should be said as the commercialism has captured Islamic Finance institutions in such a way that business with and financing to the poor has gone astray from their agenda. 

According to the facts and figures (March-2013) by Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), (an associated institution to the World Bank), the global volume of Islamic Microfinance has reached at USD 800 million with serving about 1.3 million beneficiaries. While as per the latest research (July-2013) conducted by AlHuda Centre of Excellence in Islamic Microfinance, the global volume of Islamic Microfinance has reached at $ 1 billion. Total number of Islamic Microfinance Institutions is more than 300, operating around the globe while the share of Islamic Microfinance is less than 1% from the overall volume of $ 1.3 trillion of Islamic Finance Industry, which, itself, is a big question mark on Islamic finance industry and proving its misfortune. These stated facts and figures give rise to different question such as: is social segmentation between poor and rich 1% : 99% ? Does Islamic Finance have financial resources only for the rich people? Not for the Poor? Is Islamic Finance an option only for the particular segment of society? Is it justice system of Islam? etc, whereas the answers to all these questions are in negative and awful, definitely. 

As per the analysis of Islamic Finance in the light of Islamic teachings, we get into, the Islamic ideology of finance which aims at justice, cooperation, welfare of the poor and financially deprived people of society with its best principles. Islam is a name of revolution starting from poor and will ending at same. If we have a look at comparative study of different religions regarding the view point of poverty, then we come to know that poverty alleviation is not only the social responsibility in Islam rather a religious obligation as well. Zakat, Charity, Sadqa, Fitr, Usher and Qarz-e-Hasan etc are amongst the key religious responsibilities of Muslims, whereas it is a social responsibility in other religions rather than a religious one which recognized as branded name of “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR), and they doing good work for poverty alleviation and social development in the whole world, but unfortunately, Islamic Financial Industry have ignored its social or religious responsibilities. 

If we look at the world poverty, we get surprising facts and figures. The 46% of whole world poverty exists in Muslim World while Muslim population in the world is 26%. United Nations have marked 26 out of 57 member countries of OIC, as the least developed countries. Current statistical information is highlighting that the poverty in the Muslim World is increasing day by day which is, as per the serious observation, caused by none or least response of poor people to Microfinance facilities because of interest, none or limited Islamic Micro Financing facilities provided by Islamic Financial Institutions and the least attention and interest of International Donor Agencies (UNDP, World Bank, IFC) towards Islamic Microfinance which, in return, is throwing the Muslim world into an era of poverty. 

As per the praiseworthy analysis of economics experts of modern age (Mr. Tariq Ullah and Mr. Ubaid Ullah 2008), 650 million Muslims in the world are living below poverty line with less than $ 2/ per day income. While on the other hand, only the 1.3 million Muslims out of 650 million were tried to get them out of poverty through Islamic Microfinance services whereas remaining 649 million Muslim, living in poverty, are still looking forward any financial assistance through Islamic way. Islamic Finance Industry is facing lot of criticism in different aspects e.g. acceptability of Islamic Finance, objections from Shari’ah Scholars, Conflicts in Shari’ah related issues etc are the main challenges to Islamic Finance Industry. But objection to neglect the poor is very critical, once not resolved, can damage and bring a perpetual loss to the Islamic Banking and Finance Industry. 

The optimal results for the economic prosperity of Islamic Finance can be ensured if Islamic Microfinance Institutions established by the Islamic Finance Industry. Although Islamic Microfinance can be energized by utilizing available charity amount of Islamic Banking and Finance industry which is worth in Million Dollars. Inter alia Zakat, Sadqaat, Waqf, other Islamic Microfinance products e.g Murabaha, Musharaka, Salam and Istisna etc can be used prolifically for poverty reduction and social development. 

Our Shari’ah scholars are also responsible for insisting and pursuing the Islamic Financial Institutions to execute and promote Islamic Microfinance otherwise there is a definite chance of rumors that Islamic Banking and Finance services are only for rich people making discrimination of “Do Have and Have Not” and ensuring its ultimate benefits only to rich people. 

( Muhammad Zubair Mughal as a Chief Executive Officer of AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) has been working consistently for last nine (9) years for poverty alleviation through Islamic Microfinance concept; he can be reached at zubair.mughal@alhudacibe.com )

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Indonesia’s BMT Microfinance system should be introduced Globally: Zubair Mughal

In Indonesia 5,500 BMT’s are struggling under Islamic Microfinance to eliminate poverty.

(Lahore) Baittul Maal wa Tamwil (BMT) Microfinance system which is being working in Indonesia should be introduced all-around the globe as a best system to eliminate poverty which will boost-up Islamic Microfinance industry worldwide, These thoughts were expressed by Chief Executive Officer of Al-Huda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal in his address in an International conference for “ Empowering SMEs for Financial Inclusion and Growth” held at Jakarta – Indonesia, which was organized by a well known financial institution “Sampoerna Group” of Indonesia in which large number of professionals related to Microfinance, SME, Banking and other Financial institutions participated.

During his address Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal Said that, Islamic financial industry of Indonesia with having 11 complete Islamic Banks, 24 Islamic windows, 43 Takaful Institutions, 16 Islamic Finance companies and more than 5,500 BMT’s holds a remarkable position in the world. He said, BMT’s in Indonesia has played an important role for the alleviation of poverty from country by adapting methods of Islamic Microfinance system, which is a clear example of success of this system But unfortunately, BMT’s methods are being limited to Indonesia only, but it is the need of the time that this system should be introduced in other countries of world along with Indonesia which will help in introducing Islamic Microfinance system in other countries of world and new Islamic Microfinance methods of BMT will be available along with Murabaha, Salam, Mudarabah, Qarz-e-Hasna and Waqf to Islamic Microfinance Institutes. 

He further added that, to involve poor in financial inclusion Islamic Microfinance is very important along with branchless banking, Product innovation and financial literacy etc Because in Muslim communities major reason of poverty is to avoid interest based Microfinance and in order to bring Muslims in financial inclusion then such a Islamic Microfinance system need to be introduced which will be according to the Muslims religious and economic principles otherwise poverty will increase due to financial excluding of Muslims, which can be estimated from present facts and figures that half of world’s poverty lies in Muslim countries. 

He further added, to gather Islamic Microfinance institutions and professional of the world on single plate form, the Global Islamic Microfinance Forum is going to be held on October 16, 2013 in Dubai, to compile the strategy to strengthen Islamic Microfinance industry.