HBKU’s College of Islamic Studies calls for research papers

The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has announced a ‘Call for Papers’ for its International Conference on Islamic Finance and Circular Economy, jointly organised with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority and to be held from December 3-5 in Doha.  The conference, led by the CIS’ academic programmes, including the Master of Science in Islamic Finance and PhD Islamic Finance and Economy degrees and the Center for Islamic Economics and Finance, with the support of QFC, will explore the existing body of knowledge on Islamic finance and circular economy and the prospects for transforming economies to achieve and sustain multidimensional development. During the three-day conference, attendees will examine the emergence of a circular economic paradigm in recent years, exploring the means, processes and incentives to learn from nature and to minimise and ideally eliminate all types of waste. Aspects of responsive financial strategies and policies will also be discussed by exploring the synergies between the circular economy paradigm, Islamic economics and finance, and sustainable and responsible businesses, HBKU has said in a statement.Scholars, intellectuals and professionals from various academic and industrial disciplines are invited to submit their papers on topics covering any of the following themes: Circular Economy: An Islamic Perspective; Circular Economy: Concepts, Models - Challenges and Opportunities; Circular Economy and Islamic Finance; Circular Economy: Urban Innovative Actions and Design; and Transition to Circular Economy: Case Studies. Both Arabic and English manuscripts will be accepted. Dr Emad El-Din Shahin, dean of CIS, said: “CIS endeavours to provide a platform for interdisciplinary discussion on the most contemporary and pressing issues in society in light of Islamic codes and principles. This conference is another such attempt, specifically addressing the critical issues of environment and sustainability through the tools of Islamic finance. “We invite scholars to submit their research papers that explore alternative economic paradigms and assess the effects of adopting a circular economy approach.”Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, chief executive officer at QFC Authority, noted: “The International Conference on Islamic Finance and Circular Economy will provide guests with a platform to discuss, with a broad range of Islamic finance experts, the many opportunities this sector offers Qatar as well as global economies. The Qatar Financial Centre is, therefore, honoured to support this important initiative.”  Dr Tariqullah Khan, professor and co-ordinator of the PhD in Islamic Finance and Economy programme at CIS, and co-chair of the Conference’s Scientific Committee, said: “The conference is being organised as an initial response to the challenges of environmental and business sustainability and to encourage multidimensional and inclusive development and well-being within the role of Islamic finance.” Dr Syed Nazim Ali, director of the Research Division at CIS and co-chair of the Conference’s Organising Committee, added: “The conference explores alternative avenues for the global future, which is expected to offer a more sustainable route while being compatible with fundamental Islamic finance principles.” For more information about the conference and the call for papers, one can visit the conference website or contact cief@hbku.edu.qa