Abstract

This talk will look at whether modern economic theory is an impartial analysis of human economic activity. Following on from this, the basis of ethics in modern secular literature will be discussed and the speaker will look at what makes people alter their ethical framework to suit their actions and why a group of people might collectively decide to “do the wrong thing”. Finally, we will look for examples from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that can guide us to better ethics.

Tarek El Diwany’s experience in both secular and Islamic finance help him to provide a practical commentary on the state of the modern financial system and the Islamic alternative. In 1989 he established a bond derivatives operation for a major financial institution in London and since 1995 he has worked in the field of Islamic finance for a variety of professional and private clients across the world. He is now the senior member at Zest Advisory LLP , an Islamic finance and investment consultancy based in London. Tarek is the founder of www.islamic-finance.com, a database of researchers, institutions, books, events and other information dedicated to the field, and presenter of the film documentary Why are We All in Debt? In 2010, he completed a reference textbook as contributing editor for First Ethical Charitable Trust entitled Islamic Banking and Finance: What It Is and What It Could Be.