As the editor of the ISRA Islamic Finance Space Magazine, ‘ISRA Islamic Finance Space’ (IIFS), I once again welcome all readers with warmth and gratitude. IIFS is published twice a year, and this will be our second issue for the year. The publication of IIFS is yet another feather in ISRA’s cap and further demonstrates our strong standing within the industry. Various areas of Islamic banking and takaful have been further explored in the second issue of IIFS through columns such as ‘Food for Thought’, ‘Kalamuna’, ‘Global Insight’ and ‘Youth Corner’. IIFS was also fortunate enough to be able to interview a respected figure in the Islamic economics world, Dr. Mustafa Omar Mohammed, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). He is known for his expertise in the areas of waqf, zakat, Islamic microfinance and Maqasid al-Shariah. Excerpts of his interview can be found in our ‘In-Person column’. Besides, IIFS was extremely privileged to have a renowned industry expert sharing his thoughts on Islamic finance in our ‘Global Insight’ column. He is Mr. Jal Othman, Head of Islamic Finance Practice, Shook Lin & Bok, Malaysia. In addition, there are also additional columns in IIFS which include ‘ISRA Events’, ‘Islamic Finance for Dummies’ and ‘ISRA Publication’.
Last but not least, special thank you to all the sponsors who have been key in the successful publication of IIFS. May this magazine play an important role in bringing all the Islamic finance experts together through the expression of their views and knowledge in the various columns of the magazine, for the sake of the betterment of the ummah. Finally, we hope the readers will enjoy and gain valuable input from IIFS. Your feedback and suggestions are most welcome.
