Global Leaders in Islamic Finance: Industry Milestones and Reflections

Abstract

Global Leaders in Islamic Finance is a unique book that profiles individuals who have contributed to the field of Islamic finance, drawing on interviews conducted with them. The book aims to convey the first hand experiences of these individuals, to share the turning points in Islamic finance with readers, and to pass on the sector's legacy to future generations. In reviewing Global Leaders in Islamic Finance, it is important to first note that the criteria cited for selecting the featured pioneers—namely, their living status and their ability to share experiences from various sectors—are highly subjective. Although the selected individuals have made significant contributions to Islamic finance, the author's failure to clearly and objectively explain these selection criteria stands as a primary criticism of the work. Furthermore, the inclusion of other views expressed by Prince Mohamed Al Faisal Al Saud—which are not directly related to the technical or institutional structure of Islamic finance, but are rather of a political, theological, sociological, and philosophical nature—has also drawn academic scrutiny, setting a critical context for the remainder of the book. It specifically focuses on ten pioneering leaders who have broken new ground in Islamic finance and contributed to its development.