Isaac Newton might have made the phrase famous, but the original source of the above title is attributed to 12th century English historian Bernard of Chartres. “We see more and farther than our predecessors, not because we have keener vision or greater height, but because we are lifted up and borne aloft on their gigantic stature.” Every step forward that the Islamic finance industry takes is built on the foundation, dedication and innovation that have gone before it – learning, growing and building on the pillars of faith to make the market a truly global collaboration.
This week we make a new move ourselves, with the first in a series of featured interviews with industry experts instrumental not only in driving forward their own businesses but developing the wider industry – through innovation, impact, experience and much more. Our first interviewee is Henry Thompson, industry stalwart and CEO of Gatehouse Bank. One year after his appointment (and what an eventful year it has been), we ask him what has changed in the UK landscape – and what his plans are for the future.
Our IFN reports this week also explore industry legends and market giants – with a look at the latest news out of Indonesia as it gears itself up for another push towards Islamic finance super status. We also meet some new kids on the block, with an exploration of the developments in Uganda. Our in-house analyses look at Syria and the equity capital market while our IFN Correspondents come to you from Oman, Jordan and Indonesia. Special Reports this week cover Palestine, Korea and education while our features are brought to you by Club Ethis on Singapore and the Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran on equity capital markets.
To complete another action-packed issue, we wish all our readers Ramadan Kareem.