KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Award for Islamic Finance 2014 was presented to Dato' Dr. Abdul Halim Ismail by the King of MalaysiaYang di-Pertuan Agong, at the award presentation in Malaysia held in conjunction with the Global Islamic Finance Forum 2014 (GIFF 2014). The Royal Award recognizes Islamic finance visionaries who contribute significantly to the growth of the global economy and social progress of communities around the world.
Held once every two years, the Royal Award is spearheaded by Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia under the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) initiative.
Dr. Abdul Halim, the first Malaysian to receive the award, is recognized for his pivotal role in establishing the organizational structure and operating procedures of the first Islamic bank in 1983. He was appointed the Managing Director of Bank Islam and Chairman of the board of Syarikat Takaful Malaysia, the nation's first Islamic insurance company. In 1994, Dr. Abdul Halim also helped to set up BIMB Securities, the first Islamic stockbroking company in Malaysia. Under his stewardship, both the industry and financial institutions flourished, making Islamic finance an increasingly attractive alternative and complement to conventional finance.
His vision and leadership also steered Bank Islam towards becoming a successful and robust Islamic financial institution upholding Shariah best practices. Bank Islam extended support, collaboration and training for Islamic banks which were subsequently set up within the region.
Dr. Abdul Halim's expertise in Shariah law as well as Islamic banking and finance has led to his appointment on various Shariah boards of regulators, including Bank Negara Malaysia, Securities Commission Malaysia and Labuan International Business and Financial Centre; and financial institutions. An academician by training, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the National University of Malaysia (UKM) from 1974 to 1977. His distinguished qualifications and knowledge in Islamic economics and Islamic banking and finance have also been documented extensively in published articles for seminars and conferences, such as the 7th Meeting of Central Banks and Monetary Authorities and Islamic Banks of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Countries in Malaysia, and the IBC Islamic Banking Conference and Emirates International Forum in Dubai.
“Dr. Abdul Halim is a man of vision who has played a vital role in developing the region's Islamic banking industry, leveraging on his knowledge in economics and finance,” said Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of the Jury Panel of The Royal Award.
On receiving The Royal Award this year, Dr. Abdul Halim said, “Islamic finance is deeply connected with the real economy, offering ethical investments and funding options for businesses. The principles of Islamic finance also encourage inclusiveness and collaboration to create a fair and equitable financial system that is accessible to all. I am honored to receive The Royal Award and look forward to continuing my journey to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of Islamic finance around the world.” — SG
