Muslim clerics launch Islamic investment advisory board, pitch for Islamic banking

April 10, 2010

New Delhi: India’s eminent Islamic clerics today pitched for introduction of Islamic banking and financial system in the country while opening to the public the Islamic Investment & Finance Board, an advisory committee headed by clerics to assist both corporations and markets as well as common people regarding Shariat-compliant investment and finance.

“Islamic Finance and Ethical investments are gradually evolving into one of the most important asset classes in the financial services industry in the world today. This is seen as an alternate to the failure of conventional financial system to achieve the higher objective of bringing economic justice. Another driving force for this phenomenon is the sheer size of the Indian Muslim population who are looking for alternate interest free financial system,” said Mufti Mohd. Yahya Qasmi, Member, Islamic Investment & Finance Board (IIFB), at the national conference titled “A Search for an Alternate Financial System” at India Islamic Cultural Centre in the National Capital today.

Building on the strong fundamentals and importance of the alternative investment & finance, Islamic Investment & Finance Board was evolved under the leadership of Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani, Sajjada Nasheen, Khanqah Munger and Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said Mufti Qasmi while introducing the IIFB and opening the conference.

The primary responsibility of the board is to ensure that all the Islamic Financial products made are Shariah compliant as an alternate means. The work of IIFB will be supervisory to guide and advise the financial corporation regarding Islamic investment and finance including Islamic Banking. The board upon going through the Shariah validity of financial products presented by financial corporation would certify the financial products after a thorough examination according to the Shariah compliant criteria. The IIFB Board shall have continuous dialogue with economist, bankers and other scholars to assess the feasibility of new proposals and assisting in project development and execution of new financial products in compliance with Shariah Principles. IIFB also makes sure that the work of an organization is Compatible with Shariah rules according to the accredited and agreed legal opinions (Fatwa), Mufti Yahya said.

The IIFB comprises prominent Ulama such as Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, General Secretary of Islamic Fiqh Academy- India, Maulana Fuzail ur Rahman Hilal Usmani Panjab, Maulana Fuzlur Raheem Mujeddi Jaipur, Mufti Shoibullah Khan- Bangalore, Mufti Ahmad Nadir Al-Qasmi, Mufti Ajaz Arshad Qasmi, Mufti Riyaz Ahmad Qasmi Munger, Mufti Anwarul Haque Qasmi, Mufti Mohd Yahya Qasmi and Market Expert Imtiaz Merchant.

Addressing the gathering Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said interest is prohibited not only in Islam but also in Christianity and Hinduism. Islamic banking system which will be free from interest will have little risk for the common people. He said that to fix benefit and dividend and to not accept the risk of loss is unnatural.

H Abdur Raqeeb, Convener, National Committee on Islamic Banking and General Secretary, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance demanded the government to allow Islamic Banking system in India as many many European countries and US have done. He said he has met RBI Deputy Governor and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Both have given positive response. For introduction of Islamic banking in India, the present Indian banking law will have to be amended. So he urged the gathering to meet their local MPs and convince them about Islamic financial system.

Talking to TwoCircles.net on the sidelines of the program, stock market professional Tauqeer Anjum from Chennai-based stock broker ITI Financial Services Ltd. said in the last few years there has been rise in number of people who are coming to enquire about Shariat-compliant stocks. His company though does not have any such index, however provides the Muslim investors with information about Shariat-compliant shares and products where they can invest. Excerpt.

Stock market professional Tauqeer Anjum

Do you get Muslim customers/investors who want to know from you about Shariat-compliant products/shares in which they want to invest?

Yes, such people come though in limited number and they want to invest but they have no option or alternative to work, they do not have full information either.

Do you see rise in number of people who are coming to enquire about Shariat-compliant shares?

Yes, for the last five years I have found rise in the number of such people. Earlier I was with MK stock broker and now with ITI Financial Services Ltd for some years. A lot of people come to get information about shares which are not based on interest and are completely Shariat compliant. They show interest in equity shares.

Do you have any list of Shariat-compliant products and shares?

We do not have any such index, but we have information about Shariat-related shares and share this information with the investors who want.

Can you name some companies/products in which Muslims can invest without fear of getting involved in interest?

Sun Pharma, Reliance Industries, Reliance Capital, Dabur these are some stocks/companies in which we can invest.

Such programs are necessary. We in the share market seek to get information about Shariat-compliant finance. We got information about this program. And I am here to attend it.