In line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the Capital of the Islamic Economy, the aafaq Center for Research in Islamic Economy will launch the first Islamic Finance Encyclopedia and Islamic Finance Directory in Arabic, at the 2015 Global Islamic Economic Summit taking place from October 5 to 6, 2015 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

It is worth noting that aafaq Center for Research in Islamic Economy was recently established to provide thematic, multi-disciplinary research to address strategic and practical research issues on Islamic economy, the Center develops a competitive portfolio to establish an international platform for experts, practitioners and academics in Islamic economy.

The Islamic Finance Encyclopedia comprises twelve volumes covering all aspects of Islamic Finance. The volumes include, Shariah Framework of Islamic Finance; Emergence of Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs): A Comparative Historical Study with Conventional Financial Institutions; IFIs and Banking Services; Takaful Insurance: A New Trend in Islamic Finance; Islamic Financial Markets & Islamic Financial Instruments; Islamic Arbitration in IFIs; Economic Development in Waqf; Zakah in IFIs; Risk Management and Credit Ratings in IFIs; Governance in IFIs; and Accounting Treatments in IFIs.

Dr. Mahmoud Abdelaal, CEO of aafaq Islamic Finance, said: To complement H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai vision of establishing Dubai as the Capital of Islamic Economy, Aafaq Center for Research in Islamic Economy has done a pioneering work of publishing the first-ever Islamic Finance Encyclopedia along with the first Islamic Finance Directory in Arabic. We have undertaken this move to raise greater awareness about Islamic Finance and its products through various media to the biggest possible geographical area. We are confident that the two compilations will provide the latest up to date information to academia as well as practitioners in Islamic Finance and to contribute in capacity building and knowledge infrastructure. Through our initiative, we look forward to building long-term partnerships with multi-lateral institutions and academic organizations.

The content for the Encyclopedia has been provided by leading experts in Islamic finance and Islamic law. The Islamic Finance Directory, the first publication of its kind to be issued in Arabic language, is being compiled in partnership with Union Arab Banks (UAB). The books will be available at very affordable prices compared to other similar products in print, electronic and online formats.