The Royal Award For Islamic Finance
The Royal Award for Islamic Finance (RAIF) is an international award that is held every 2 years to recognise one exceptional individual who has excelled in advancing Islamic finance globally through outstanding performance and contribution. The Royal Award provides further impetus to deepen the body of knowledge and cross-border application of Islamic finance.
| The Royal Award for Islamic Finance (RAIF) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | Outstanding contributions towards the advancement of Islamic finance globally |
| Country | Malaysia |
| First awarded | October 2010 |
| Website | http://www.theroyalaward.com |
Inspired by ethical principles that drive the industry, this recognition is unique and meant to highlight the individual’s outstanding contribution and its impact towards the advancement of Islamic finance globally, beyond commercial achievements.[1]
Established in 2010 under the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) initiative and supported by Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia, the first winner for The Royal Award is expected to be announced at The Royal Award Gala Dinner and Award Presentation ceremony to be held in Kuala Lumpur on 25 October 2010.
The Royal Award for Islamic Finance is headed by a special taskforce which is led by the Securities Commission Malaysia Chairman, Zarinah Anwar. Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, also added that the award is timely to recognise individuals who have contributed towards shaping the global Islamic finance industry, which has become one of the fastest growing segments in international finance.
Other distinguished awards in Islamic finance include Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Finance (commonly known as IDB Prize) and Global Leadership in Islamic Finance Award offered by Global Islamic Finance Awards.
The Royal Award for Islamic Finance Logo
A diamond shape is commonly used in Arabic calligraphy, to form the main graphic element of the logo.
The five diamonds represent the five pillars of Islam as well as the principles of Islam as well as principles of Islamic finance: good governance, transparency, fairness, faith and risk-sharing.
The five diamonds are laid out to form a circle bringing forth the values of unity and symmetry of Islamic design, creating a balance between the modern and financial world and its ties to Islamic heritage.
Jury Members
The Royal Award winner is selected after a rigorous and robust evaluation and selection process conducted by an independent 8-member jury panel, comprising eminent individuals, Shariah scholars, academicians and Islamic finance practitioners from around the world.[2]
2012 Jury Members
| Juror | Career Background |
|---|---|
| Musa Hitam |
|
| Abdul Hamid Mohamad |
|
| Professor Dr. Volker Nienhaus |
|
| Professor Dr. Abbas Mirakhor |
|
| Dr. Mohamed Ali Elgari |
|
| Dr. Abdul Razaque |
|
| A. Riawan Amin |
|
| Dr. Yahia Abdul-Rahman |
|
2010 Jury Members
| Juror | Representing Country | Career Background |
|---|---|---|
| Musa Hitam (Jury Chairman) | Malaysia |
|
| Abdul Hamid Mohamad | Malaysia |
|
| Professor Dr. Volker Nienhaus | Germany |
|
| Professor Dr. Abbas Mirakhor | USA |
|
| Dr. Mohamed Ali Elgari | Saudi Arabia |
|
| A. Riawan Amin | Indonesia |
|
| Dr. Yahia Abdul-Rahman | USA |
|
Award process
Nomination
Every 2 years, a global call for nominations is opened via the award website (mifc.com/award). The nominated candidate must fit the following criteria;[3]
- Candidate is currently involved or has led, conducted and/or participated in pioneering work, which application has had a significant impact towards the advancement of Islamic finance in areas including human capital development and bridging the gap between Shariah transactional rules and mainstream legal structure.
- Candidate is involved or has advocated and applied the principles of Shariah into the development of Islamic finance (e.g. widening Shariah application to practice);
- Candidate is involved or has been active in advocating, advancing and promoting Islamic finance through non-profit organisations, industry associations, Shariah boards or academic institutions
- Candidate can be of any nationality, gender or religion;
- Candidate must be a living person;
- Candidate can reside in any country;
- The achievements of the candidate must be related to Islamic finance and may not solely be related to commercial projects (i.e. achievements should not solely be based on deals made)
Every nomination made must be attached with the following;
- Information on current achievements: qualification, memberships, publications, past recognition.
- A short write-up on the candidate’s contributions within any of the three arching categories:
- Research & Development – Innovation and Pioneering work
- Advocacy & Leadership – Establishment and/or development of IFIs, research organizations, standard-setting bodies; promotion/advocacy of industry.
- Development of Human Capital & Capacity Building
Once the list of nominees is finalised, each nomination (nominated individual) is put through a rigorous evaluation by the jury panel. The selection criteria of The Royal Award for Islamic Finance assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects designed to honour the impact of exceptional contribution and reach in global Islamic finance. This includes financial innovation and pioneering work, exceptional leadership, adoption and acknowledgment within the industry, and inspiration and influence towards future progress and development.
Recipients
Source: Royal Award
- 2018: Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, for her achievements and exceptional leadership in expanding the frontiers of Islamic finance in the domestic and global financial arena.
- 2016: Professor Datuk Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim, for significant contributions to the development of the Islamic financial services industry include his instrumental roles in the establishment of two international standards setting bodies – the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB)
- 2014: Dato’ Dr. Abdul Halim Ismail, for his pivotal role in establishing the organisational structure and operating procedures of Malaysia's first Islamic bank in 1983.
- 2012: Iqbal Khan, for his dedication, drive and extraordinary leadership in accelerating the global growth and accessibility.
- 2010: Shaikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, for his visionary drive, extraordinary leadership and personal commitment. His deep and enduring passion has driven and continues to mark the advancement and international reach of Islamic finance.
About the MIFC Initiative
In August 2006, the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) initiative was launched to position Malaysia as a hub for international Islamic finance.
The MIFC initiative comprises a community network of the country’s financial and market regulators, including Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia), Securities Commission Malaysia, Labuan Financial Services Authority and Bursa Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange), Government ministries and agencies together with industry participation from the banking, takaful, capital market institutions, human capital development institutions and professional services companies which are participating and working collaboratively in Islamic finance.
The MIFC initiative is supported by global legal, regulatory and Shariah best practices that enable industry practitioners to conduct international business in Islamic finance in Malaysia in the areas of Sukuk Origination, Islamic Fund and Wealth Management, International Islamic Banking, International Takaful and Human Capital Development, while enjoying attractive incentives.
The MIFC Executive Committee (ExCo) is chaired by Bank Negara Malaysia Governor, Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, and comprises a high-level group of officials from key Government ministries, and agencies; financial and market regulators and financial institutions. It aims to review/provide policy direction towards ensuring the efficient coordination and effective implementation of the MIFC initiative.[4]