Shari'a Compliant Endowments in the United States: Commercial and Legal Challenges

This study explores the potential for - and challenges facing - shari‘a compliant endowments in_x000D_ the US. Islamic nonprofit institutions have traditionally been supported by shari‘a compliant endowments._x000D_ The study suggests that while shari‘a compliant endowments do face a limited set of investment options, equity investments are available which would provide endowment clients greater diversification, stable income, and capital appreciation. It estimates that that the market for Islamic endowments will surpass $200 million by 2010 and foresees several types of revenue opportunities in the sector. Finally, the study explores the implications of these findings for firms seeking to serve the Islamic endowment market and suggest strategies for serving endowment clients profitably.