Majlis & Markets

Sovereign Wealth Funds are quietly reshaping global finance, deploying trillions, navigating geopolitical tensions, and investing across everything from oil and AI to ESG and infrastructure. But what are they really doing in 2025?In this episode, Diego Lopez of Global SWF shares what’s happening behind the scenes, from the Gulf and Southeast Asia to emerging funds in the OIC and beyond. We cover transparency concerns, the impact of de-dollarisation, rising debt levels, and where sovereign capital is flowing next.Global SWF-https://globalswf.com/🔗 Subscribe & Stream: 🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod 🎙️ Listen on all major podcast platforms 🔗 RSS Feed → https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com📱 Follow Majlis & Markets: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets X (Twitter) → https://x.com/MajlisMarkets LinkedIn → https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF📩 Contact: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com#SovereignWealthFunds #SWFs #GlobalSWF #IslamicFinance #MajlisAndMarkets #Investing #GCC #MiddleEastFinance #PIF #Mubadala #ADIA #QIA #Kazakhstan #Malaysia #OIC #ESGInvesting #DeDollarization #AIInvesting #EmergingMarkets #Geopolitics #StateCapitalism #HalalInvesting #OilMarkets #PrivateMarkets #GlobalFinance #InstitutionalInvesting #LongTermCapital

In this episode, we interview Rafi-uddin Shikoh, CEO and founder of DinarStandard, about his journey in the Islamic economy sector. We discuss Rafi-uddin's background, the impact of 9/11 on his career, and the inception of DinarStandard. The conversation explores the current state of the Islamic economy, the challenges and opportunities within Islamic finance, and the future of the halal market. Rafi-uddin shares insights from the latest State of the Global Islamic Economy report, highlighting consumer trends and market opportunities.Access SGIE 2024/2025 report-https://salaamgateway.com/reports/the-state-of-the-global-islamic-economy-sgie-202425-report-2DinarStandard-https://www.dinarstandard.com/🎧 Subscribe for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod🎙️ Listen on all major podcast platforms🔗 Stream or subscribe via RSS: https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com📱 Follow Majlis & Markets:Instagram →   / majlismarkets  X (Twitter) → https://x.com/MajlisMarketsLinkedIn → https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF📬 Feedback or ideas? hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

In this episode, we speak with geo-economics analyst Rachel Ziemba about trade policy shifts, BRICS fractures, China’s trade outlook, de-dollarization, and what investors should watch in the second half of 2025.🔗 More from Rachel Ziemba: Website → https://ziembainsights.com Summer reading → https://rziemba.substack.com/p/summer-reading-weaponized-economy🎧 Listen & Watch: YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod RSS → https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com🕒 Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Introduction05:30 – Globalization: A New Era?10:36 – BRICS Achievements and Future Prospects15:49 – Tariffs and Trade Dynamics20:52 – Comparative Advantage and Economic Policies28:59 – China's Economic Landscape and Trade Dynamics37:10 – De-dollarization and Global Currency Trends43:46 – Emerging Technologies and Payment Systems54:12 – Market Reactions and Future Predictions📱 Follow Majlis & Markets: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets X (Twitter) → https://x.com/MajlisMarkets LinkedIn → https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF📬 Feedback or questions? hassan@majlisandmarkets.com#MajlisAndMarkets #RachelZiemba #TrumpTariffs #BRICS #GeoEconomics #2H25 #GlobalTrade #DeDollarization #TradePolicy #ChinaEconomy #MarketOutlook #EmergingMarkets #Macroeconomics

Why does Islamic finance still struggle with standardisation, accessibility, and product credibility?In this episode, we speak with Ijlal Alvi, CEO of International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) about what’s really holding the industry back. We talked on topics from the overuse of tawarruq and the lack of unified Shariah standards, to why retail sukuk remain out of reach. We also cover IIFM’s mission, milestones, and the future of Islamic capital markets.Latest IIFM sukuk report-https://www.iifm.net/sukuk-reports🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Islamic Finance and Guest Background 06:16 – Early Exposure to Islamic Finance 11:59 – Role and Mandate of IIFM 15:08 – Achievements of IIFM 18:00 – Challenges of Harmonisation in Islamic Finance 23:31 – Importance of Standardisation in Islamic Finance 26:18 – Critiques of Islamic Finance Instruments 26:58 – Challenges in Islamic Finance Assets 29:18 – Critiques of Islamic Finance Practices 31:20 – Liquidity Issues in Islamic Finance 32:56 – The Need for Islamic Financial Benchmarks 34:03 – Sukuk Market Trends and Developments 40:11 – Impact of Geopolitical Factors on Sukuk 44:24 – Sharia Standard 62 and Its Implications 47:37 – Emerging Technologies in Sukuk Issuance 49:15 – Retail Sukuk and Accessibility 51:03 – Future Projects and Developments in Islamic Finance📲 Follow Majlis & Markets: 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketsPod 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets/ 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/MajlisMarkets 💼 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF 📩 Email: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible — or stream via RSS: https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com#IslamicFinance #IIFM #Tawarruq #RetailSukuk #ShariahCompliance #HalalInvesting #FaithBasedFinance #Sukuk #IjlalAlvi #MajlisAndMarkets

In episode 64, we're joined by Dr. Ryan Lemand, Co-Founder & CEO of NeoVision Wealth Management and a prominent voice in global finance.They dive into the world of alternative assets, from gold and crypto to meme stocks, and unpack how regulation, social media, and investor psychology are reshaping markets.Ryan explains why Bitcoin behaves more like an asset than a currency, the renewed appeal of gold, and what rising volatility could mean for investors in the months ahead.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible and all major platforms 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc1EO5YgWE4Stay connected: 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/majlismarkets 🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/majlismarkets 🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/majlis-markets 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod 📩 Email: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

In this episode, we spoke to Said Murad, a Dubai-based Senior Partner at Global Ventures.The conversation explores the growth of the MENA startup ecosystem, investment opportunities, challenges faced by founders, and the impact of global economic conditions on the region. The episode covered several topics including:The importance of talent acquisition, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the future of fintech in democratising financeThe outlook for MENA VC in 2H25📺 YouTube: Majlis & MarketsEmail us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.comFollow Majlis & Markets on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcFFollow Majlis & Markets on Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets

🎙 Episode 62 – Why Islamic Finance Isn’t Driving Impact We welcome back Reza Zain Jaufeerally to explore why Islamic finance is falling short on climate action, development goals, and real-world impact—and what must change.This wide-ranging conversation touches on everything from AI and sustainability to grassroots initiatives, cultural challenges, and the persistent issue of Islamophobia in global finance.If you care about the future of faith-based finance and its role in solving urgent global challenges, this one’s not to miss.🔁 Related episodes: • Episode 27 – Profit Over Principles? The Ethical Dilemma in Islamic Finance • Episode 57 – Counting the Cost: Inside Syria’s Economy🔗 Subscribe for more conversations on Islamic finance, climate, tech, and ethical investing: ▶️ YouTube → https://lnkd.in/eP3FQpsV 🎙️ Stream or subscribe via RSS → https://lnkd.in/eG2x-RMT📱 Follow Majlis & Markets:Instagram → https://lnkd.in/eTfvQrc5Twitter (X) → https://lnkd.in/ege29YDxLinkedIn → https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF📬 Feedback or ideas? hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

In our 61st episode, we spoke to Datuk Prof. Dr Mohamad Akram Laldin.He is a Professor at INCEIF University and a globally respected Shariah scholar. He was formerly Executive Director of ISRA and has advised central banks and financial institutions across Malaysia, the GCC, and Central Asia.He currently serves on the Shariah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia, chairs the Shariah Boards of EPF Malaysia and Labuan FSA, and advises institutions including Dubai Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Bank Muscat. He holds a PhD in Usul al-Fiqh from the University of Edinburgh and is widely recognised for his contributions to Islamic finance scholarship and regulation.Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.comYouTube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspodFollow Majlis & Markets on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcFFollow Majlis & Markets on Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets/Follow Majlis & Markets on X (Twitter)-https://x.com/MajlisMarkets

In our 60th episode, we spoke to Ryan Calder.Ryan is an assistant professor of sociology and director of the Program in Islamic Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He studies fast-changing global markets where money and morality intersect. His first book, The Paradox of Islamic Finance (Princeton University Press 2024), draws on over 280 interviews across Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, the UK, Malaysia, Oman, and beyond to show how shariah experts make Islamic law compatible with 21st-century finance. His second book project investigates frequent-flyer programs, and his third the global spread of “halalization” across logistics, consumer goods, medicine, and housing.In this episode, we covered several topics:The origins of Islamic economicsWhether Islamic finance has drifted from its ethical foundationsThe role of Shariah scholarsEmail us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.comYouTube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspodFollow Majlis & Markets on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcFFollow Majlis & Markets on Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets/Follow Majlis & Markets on X (Twitter)-https://x.com/MajlisMarketsIntro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay

In our 59th episode, we spoke to Paromita Dey.She is a wealth management journalist with over 14 years of experience covering private banking, asset management, and investment trends across the Middle East and India. Her work has appeared in top publications including Citywire, AsianInvestor, and Business Today. Known for turning complex finance into clear, engaging stories, she brings sharp insight and strong industry connections to every piece.We covered several topics including:Financial journalism in the GulfInsights into her time at Moniify (and what went wrong)?The power of social mediaEmail us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.comYouTube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspodFollow Majlis & Markets on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcFFollow Majlis & Markets on Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets/Follow Majlis & Markets on X (Twitter)-https://x.com/MajlisMarketsIntro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay