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Description of Globalization and Islamic Finance

This is an extremely valuable book written by three highly qualified scholars whose credentials for writing such a book are difficult to match. The timing of the book is also perfect, having come at a time when the worst financial crisis in living memory has intensified the quest for reform of the international architecture. The proposals made by the authors should go a long way in not only reforming the system but also in accelerating the move towards financial globalization and convergence of the conventional and Islamic financial systems.
Dr. Umer Chapra
Prominent Scholar of Islamic Economics and currently Research Advisor
Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

Globalization and Islamic Finance, by three well–respected authors in Islamic finance, provides a thought–provoking analysis of an important and topical issue, particularly, given the global impact of the current financial and economic crises. The book is the first attempt to make a compelling case of convergence between globalization and Islamic finance. Askari, Iqbal and Mirakhor should be praised for this serious effort, which is a must–read for academics and practitioners interested in Islamic finance.
Professor Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim
Secretary General
Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB)

This book has a robust discussion of the growth and spread of Islamic finance within the umbrella of globalization. The book provides a unique view of Islamic finance, not only from the perspective of how Islamic finance fits within globalization in general, but globalization of finance in particular. This is a must read for anyone interested in the complex and complicated world of Islamic finance.
Scheherazade S. Rehman, Ph.D.
Director, European Union Research Center
Professor of International Finance, School of Business
The George Washington University

I have not come across any literature that has delved so intensely in financial globalization, in particular Islamic finance. Due to this reason, I would encourage all interested in this area to read this book.
Hajah Salma Latiff
Managing Director, Crescent Sdn. Bhd.
Former Director, Centre for Islamic Banking, Finance and Management (CIBFM), Universiti Brunei Darussalam

The recent crisis has evoked wide interest in Islamic finance publications. Globalization and Islamic Finance is both timely and needed.
Sani Hamid
Director, Wealth Management
Financial Alliance (Singapore)

Title Information

ISBN:

9780470823491

Pages:

224 pages

Format:

Hardback

Product Code:

418477

Publisher:

John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Published:

28/04/2010

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About Hossein Askari and Zamir Iqbal and Abbas Mirakhor

PROF. HOSSEIN ASKARI received a B.S. in Civil Engineering, Ph.D. in Economics and attended the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was an Instructor of Economics at MIT, Assistant Professor of Economics at Tufts University, Associate Professor of Economics at Wayne State University, Associate Professor and Professor of International Business and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin and is now the Iran Professor of International Business and Professor of International Affairs at the George Washington University. He served for two and a half years on the Executive Board of the IMF and was Special Advisor to the Minister of Finance of Saudi Arabia. In the mid–1980s, he was the director of a multinational team that developed the first energy planning models for Saudi Arabia. He has written extensively on economic development in the Middle East, international trade and finance, agricultural economics, oil economics, and on economic sanctions. He has been an advisor to a number of governments, institutions and corporations.

DR. ZAMIR IQBAL works as Lead Investment Officer with the Quantitative Strategies, Risk and Analytics department in the Treasury of the World Bank in Washington, D.C. He earned his Ph.D. in International Finance from the George Washington University, where he also serves as adjunct faculty of International Finance. He has published numerous articles and presented at international forums on Islamic finance. He has extensive experience with capital markets, structured products, risk management, financial sector development, and financial modeling. His research interests include Islamic Finance, Financial Engineering, Structured Finance and International Banking. He is co–author of Introduction to Islamic Finance: Theory and Practice (2007), Risk Analysis for Islamic Banks (2007), and New Issues in Islamic Finance and Economics: Progress and Challenges (2009).

DR. ABBAS MIRAKHOR, born in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, attended Kansas State University, where he received his Ph.D. in economics in 1969. From 1969 to 1984, he taught in various universities in the U.S. and Iran. From 1984 until 1990, he served on the staff of the IMF, and from 1990 to 2008, he served as the Executive Director at the IMF. Currently, he is The First Holder of International Center For Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) Chair of Islamic Finance. He has received several awards including “Order of Companion of Volta” for service to Ghana, conferred by the President of Ghana in 2005; Islamic Development Bank Annual Prize for Research in Islamic Economics, shared with Moshin Khan in 2003, and “Quaid–e Azam” star for service to Pakistan conferred by the President of Pakistan in 1997. Dr. Mirakhor is the co–author of Essays on Iqtisad: Islamic Approach to Economic Problems (1989), Theoretical Studies in Islamic Banking and Finance (1987), Introduction to Islamic Finance: Theory and Practice (2007), and New Issues in Islamic Finance and Economics: Progress and
Challenges (2009).

Contents of Globalization and Islamic Finance

I: Convergence of Financial Globalization and Islamic Finance

This chapter discusses the theoretical foundation of financial globalization and Islamic finance. It argues that the two share one common objective: maximum risk sharing. As each strives to achieve its own potential, a process is set in motion where an eventual convergence between the two could be expected. (25 pages)

II: Recent Developments and Trends in Financial Globalization and Islamic Finance

This chapter discusses the developments in globalization of finance and Islamic finance over the last decade. It argues that despite the progress of both, each has a long way to go to achieve its objective despite the progress to date. (30 pages)

III: Prerequisites and Prospects of Increased Risk Sharing

This chapter discusses the shortcomings of financial globalization and Islamic finance in achieving greater risk sharing and the impediments to faster and wider spread of both. It demonstrates that the conditions needed for greater progress of the two are common to both. (30 pages)

IV: Emergence of an Islamic Financial System

This chapter focuses on growth and development of Islamic financial systems in its entirety as risk-sharing instruments become wide spread. This chapter demonstrates how a system of banking, money and capital markets, and risk underwriting through insurance can be developed which is stable and inclusive leading to economic growth. (25 pages)

V: Meeting the Challenges

This chapter focuses on the progress of developing countries, including Muslim countries, in creating the underlying conditions for better risk sharing. These efforts include: promotion of macroeconomic stability; developing the financial sector; improving governance, transparency, and accountability; and adopting international best practice standards and codes. (30 pages)

VI: Looking Ahead-Progress or Reversals?

This chapter discusses the view held by some observers that the process of financial globalization is neither inevitable nor irreversible. History suggests that other similar episodes have been reversed. This chapter points to one such episode during the Middle Ages where considerable progress in risk sharing was achieved through equity participation. It discusses the reasons why this episode gave way to emergence and dominance of debt financing. It suggests finally that the present episode is heading toward greater risk sharing through development of equity financing and insurance against risk that could provide considerable benefit in terms of higher investment, faster economic growth, and reduced inequality and poverty.