islamabad-A two-day international workshop on “Enhancing the poor’s capability and financial inclusion from Islamic perspective” commenced at International Islamic University, Islamabad on Monday.

The workshop has been organised by International Institute of Islamic Economics (IIIE) of the IIUI in collaboration with Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank, a statement said.

On the first day, experts from Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Algeria, Malaysia, Germany, Sarajevo and other countries discussed topics including role of Islamic micro-finance in socio-economic development and economic empowerment of women in three sessions.

Islamic financial institutions would have to play their role as objectives of value orientation pertaining to Islamic finance are ignored, said IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif in his address to the opening ceremony. He said that economic disparity was a global issue and that was due to ribah and absence of Zakaat.

He called upon the Muslim world to stay united and include Islamic teachings in the economic system. He said that the youth must be aware of the future challenges and they should have a limpid concept of equality of wealth and discouragement of ribah.

The IIUI president stressed upon Islamic economics’ researchers and exerts to devise a policy which must discuss sustainability of financial inclusion programme, women empowerment in economics, role of Islamic banks and financial literacy.

Dr Abd Elrahman Elzahi, a senior economist and researcher at the Islamic Research and Training Institute of the Islamic Development Bank, said that Islamic economics and finance had contributed significantly during the previous three decades across the world. He said that the two-day workshop is focused on Islamic financial inclusion to achieve sustainability.

He said that experts in this workshop would make assessment of capability and access the full range Islamic financial service by users.

He hailed the response the IIUI had shown in joint venture with the Islamic Research and Training Institute of the Islamic Development Bank.

Dr Atiq-uz-Zafar, director general of the International Institute of Islamic Economics of the IIUI, said that the session of the workshop would also include detailed research papers of the experts. He also apprised the participants about research activities of the institute and its joint ventures with the Islamic Research and Training Institute.

Earlier, Dr Khaliquz Zaman briefed the participants about the schedule of the conference. The inaugural ceremony was also joined by vice presidents of the IIUI, deans, DGs, faculty members and students. The workshop will conclude today at Faisal Mosque campus.