Happy Islamic New Year (1st Muharram-1430 Hijrah)

I wish all Muslim readers, a very happy, prosperous and peaceful Islamic New Year (1st Muharram 1430 Hijrah).

Let's make self assessment and reflection (muhasabah) on past one year we lived through in order to improve ourselves in the coming years. Tomorrow should be better than today and next year should be better than this year...continuous improvement is required on all Muslims.

Let's live on the true spirit of Hijrah and Jihad....and keep on the right path.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “I have left two things among you, as long as you hold fast to them, you will never go astray. They are the Book of Allah (Quran) and the Sunnah of His Messenger”

The 1st Muharram 1430 (known as Maal Hijrah/Awal Muharram in Malaysia) falls on 29 December 2008. It is a national celebration here (with syariah-compliant events).

Peace to all...Salam!

Lectures at Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) and University of Technology Malaysia (UTM)

In January 2009, I will be delivering lecture on Islamic Financial Planning and Wealth Management at Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) and lecture on Islamic Banking at University of Technology Malaysia (UTM).

Lately, I received many invitations from universities from across the country (alhamdulillah). Hope to share my knowledge and experience with students and lecturers at ivory towers (universities) in Malaysia and other countries.

Global Sukuk Conference 2009 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

My firm, GlobalPro Consulting is organising Global Sukuk Conference on 19-20 January 2009 at Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For more information please visit www.globalpro.com.my

What is sukuk? Read my Islamic finance blog: http://gifc.blogspot.com

Visitor from Korea at GlobalPro Consulting office

On 23 December 2008, I received visitor from Seoul, Korea, Mr Robert JS Ryu, Director of Overseas Operations Division of Shariah Finance Co., Ltd, Korea. (In this photo, he is standing to my left).

We are going to have some form of cooperation in the promotion of Shariah (Islamic) finance in Korea and beyond. I have been invited to deliver lectures and training sessions in Korea, God's willing.

Thank you Mr Robert for visiting our office.

Islamic Financial Services: Development, Prospect & Challenges

Today I delivered a paper entitled "Islamic Financial Services: Development, Prospect & Challenges" at the Conference on Marketing & Product Development for Islamic Financial Services held at the Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The conference was attended by bankers, Islamic bankers, takaful operators, business /product development executives, IT consultants, marketing managers and representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia (central bank of Malaysia).

Visitors from Denmark and Lithuania at GlobalPro Consulting office

On 11 December 2008, I received visitors from Denmark and Lithuania, they are Mr Lars Ohnemus (Founder of BPT Asset Management, Denmark), standing tall on the right and Mr Algis Vaitiekunas (Fund Manager and Managing Director of the Baltic's for BPT, Lithuania), standing tall on the left.

Thank you for visiting our humble office.

My humble office by the lake garden...Queen's Lake, Kuala Lumpur

This is my humble office located by a lake garden of Tasik Permaisuri (Queen's Lake), Kuala Lumpur. The beautiful man-made lake garden is really well-maintained and well-supervised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Mounted park rangers could be seen moving around on their stallions making sure everything is fine.

Why it was named the Queen's Lake? The lake garden was opened by Her Royal Highness the Queen of Malaysia in 1989.

From the windows of of my office, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the world's tallest twin towers...the Petronas Twin Towers...standing tall as an icon of modern Malaysia.

It provides picturesque and serene surrounding, a conducive working and relaxing environment... and how I wish I have the time for a morning walk and afternoon jog around the lake before and after work everyday.

Invited as a guest lecturer on Islamic finance in Singapore

I have been invited to be a guest lecturer on Islamic finance at an institute of higher learning in Singapore.

Will be going to Singapore every 2 months for 2-day lecture sessions.

Singapore is Malaysia's southern neighbour, complementing Malaysia in promoting Islamic finance in this region.