This book explores the relationships between financial inclusion, poverty and inclusive development from Islamic perspectives. Financial inclusion has become an important global agenda and priority for policymakers and regulators in many
Due to the global financial crisis of 2008, the economic performance of OIC member states was adversely affected in 2009 in terms of decelerating economic growth and deteriorating current account balances. However, in the post-crisis period, the OIC member states have recovered rapidly. In the medium-term scenario (2011–2015), the economic recovery in OIC states is projected to be robust but real GDP growth and is likely to remain below the level achieved in the pre-crisis period (2000–2007).
The present study provides new empirical evidence on the impact of economic freedom on Islamic banks’ performance. The empirical analysis focuses on Islamic banks operating in the MENA banking sectors during the period 2000–2008. We find that the larger, more diversified, and better capitalized Islamic banks tend to be relatively more profitable, while credit risk and expense preference behaviour seem to exert negative impact. The findings suggest that greater financial freedom positively influence the profitability of Islamic banks operating in the MENA banking sectors.
An understanding of financing behaviour explains the performance of Islamic banks as an alternative to the conventional finance model as suppliers of capital for businesses and entrepreneurs. In the Islamic banking system, banks are suppliers of capital and not lenders unlike that stipulated in a traditional banking system. To date, Islamic banks have become the major source of capital in Malaysia and lending behaviour is an important policy variable.
This work first presents the concept of risk management as it more generally applies to the financial industry, and then applies these principles to Islamic finance. A survey on the use of risk management was conducted amongst Islamic financial institutions. The regulatory and fiqh-related issues are also covered, including market and credit risks.
Customers of Islamic banking industry continue to be skeptical on Sharīʿah compliance of Islamic banks despite receiving fatwa from the competent authorities.