More Islamic products seen in the market

The Islamic capital markets offer a range of products with an international appeal to suit the financial needs of issuers, but most Malaysian issuers have not bothered to venture beyond the Bai Bithaman Ajil (BBA) (deferred payment sale) type of issuance such as BBA Islamic debt issuance (BaIDS) or the Murabaha commercial paper/medium term notes programme.

To them, trying new products is akin to moving to uncharted territories even though the benefits are better.   One such product is the Sukuk Al-Ijarah where issuers can get tax breaks for the fund-raising expenses for five years from date of the issue. Yet this is rarely issued. Tax breaks are also available for issuing Mudharabah and Musyarakah papers.  In fact, the Malaysian government was the prime mover of Sukuk Al-Ijarah, following the success of Kumpulan Guthrie's global Sukuk issue. So far, no other party has issued it in the local market although that is a product that gained Malaysia international acclaim.

Taken From: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/

French Academic Delegation Visits University of Tehran

A French academic delegation visited UT on 11 March 2002. The objectives of their visit have been mentioned as follows: Promoting inter-university relations, exchanging students in PhD courses, studying the educational system capabilities and life status inFrance and holding various academic courses in different levels with collaboration of French universities.

Taken From: http://public.ut.ac.ir/

Conference - Sufism and the 'Modern' in Islam

This conference will be held on September 4th, 2003 to September7th 2003 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It will be in cooperation with The Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM, Jakarta) and Griffith University. The Conveners are: Martin van Bruinessen, Azyumardi Azra and Julia Howell.

Taken From: http://www.isim.nl/

Libya: ISESCO to hold course on new teaching methods

Tripoli:A course is to be held here for teachers of Islamic Studies at the primary level and Qur’an teachers, during which they will be learning the latest teaching methods. The course is being organized by the Rabat-based Islamic Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in conjunction with the Libya-based World Islamic Propagation Organization (WIPO), and would be held from April 19 to 23. The participants would be taught special skills for teaching Islamic Studies and Islamic Culture. The 30 teachers that would be attending the course are drawn from schools in various parts of the country.

Taken From: www.islamicnews.org