Book

In an increasingly interconnected world, where information flows at the speed of light and communities form with the click of a button, a curious paradox has emerged. We are more connected than ever, yet often find ourselves isolated within digital walls of our own making. We seek out voices that echo our own beliefs, news that confirms our existing biases, and communities that affirm our perspectives without challenge. This phenomenon, the "echo chamber," has become a defining characteristic of our modern discourse, quietly eroding our capacity for empathy, critical thought, and genuine understanding. This book, No echo chambers here: the power of varied voices, is an invitation to break free from these self-imposed intellectual confines. It is a journey into the profound importance of seeking out, listening to, and truly engaging with perspectives that differ from our own.

Ever wondered what really goes on behind those imposing University gates, in the hushed corners of the library, or within the seemingly impenetrable minds of academics? Well, pull up a comfy chair, grab a cuppa kopi o, teh tarik (or something stronger like espresso, depending on your current PhD stress levels), because you're about to embark on a roller coaster journey that's equal parts enlightening, frustrating, and, dare I say, I hilarious. This isn't your average dry, academic textbook. Oh no. This is a tell-all (mostly), a laugh-out-loud (hopefully) look at the the glorious, messy, and utterly unique adventure that is a PhD. Why am I qualified to guide you through this labyrinth, you ask? Because I've lived it. I have survived it. All of it.

Islamic finance is rooted in Shariah or Islamic law, which promotes the well-being of humanity and discourages harmful practices. This Element highlights the nexus between Islamic finance and sustainable development, emphasizing the ethical and socially responsible nature of Islamic finance. It discusses how Islamic financial institutions contribute to sustainable development through the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals , Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria, and Socially Responsible Investment practices. Case studies from different parts of the world demonstrate practical applications of Islamic finance principles in supporting SDG. It suggests reforms that can unlock the full potential of Islamic finance, including the institutionalization of Islamic social finance, convergence with commercial finance, leveraging technology, integrating Shariah-based financial products, considering social return as a benchmark for approving products, introducing blended finance, and collaborating with humanitarian agencies. The potential of Islamic finance for sustainable development provides valuable insights for academicians, practitioners, and policymakers.

The Islamic banking industry has gained a remarkable position across the globe which requires a strong emphasis on intellectual capital (IC) that includes dedicated human capital, reliable structural capital and trusted relational capital among participants in the Islamic banking ecosystem. This book introduces the concepts of intellectual capital and highlights the distinctive elements of Shariah capital that can give Islamic banks a competitive advantage. It also aims to explore and compare the intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) practices of Islamic banks under two different reporting regimes. The IFRS issued by IASB and FAS issued standards for financial reporting by by AAOIFI I are the two commonly used Islamic banks. Several issues and concerns were Islamic highlighted in the book, particularly discussion unique form on the Shariah capital elements as a of intellectual capital for Islamic banks that can catapult Islamic banking industry into a new era. Strong and good corporate governance is also essential for Islamic banks since they are exposed to additional risks such as Shariah noncompliance risk that conventional banks do not own; and deal with real real economic activities with more distinct stakeholders such as the investment depositors who participate in the profit and loss like shareholders.

This book addresses the growing significance of Islamic social finance as an alternative and sustainable financing approach in the world. With a focus on Malaysia, a global leader in Islamic banking and finance, the topics covered fills the gap in the extant research by providing in-depth coverage of the legal framework surrounding Islamic social finance. Written with students, researchers, and policymakers in mind, it explores the unique features and principles of Islamic social finance, which aims to achieve social objectives alongside financial returns. By examining real-life case studies and digital examples, readers will gain valuable insights into the practical application of Islamic social finance principles. Each chapter concludes with self-review questions, allowing students to assess their understanding and consolidate their knowledge. This book serves as a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and practitioners seeking to explore and implement Islamic social finance principles. With its comprehensive coverage and practical insights, it will will play a crucial role in promoting the understanding and adoption of Islamic social finance for sustainable development.

Zakat, being the third pillar of Islam, is an act of worship fulfilled by Muslims. As an obligatory means of alms giving expected of Muslims, it also helps to alleviate poverty in society by assisting such individuals to achieve a state of financial independence. It is maintained by Muslims that the principles of zakat derived from the Sharia is expected to remain unchanged with passing time. However, in order to achieve efficiency in the administration of zakat, innovation and technology can be used even within the parameters of Sharia. For students and researchers studying Islamic economics and zakat, it is hard to obtain the contemporary application of zakat from one single textbook as the books available in the market focus on elaborating the fiqh or jurisprudence of zakat. As such, the objective of this textbook is to provide the opportunity to learn the basics of zakat and its contemporary application by highlighting the innovative practices of zakat with issues and challenges.