IslamicFinance.de

In #India Maharashtra state minister Subhash Deshmukh has launched Sharia-compliant Islamic banking. Interest-free deposits will be accepted from both Muslims and non-Muslims and distributed to the needy at zero rates of interest to ensure their financial inclusion. So far, the Lokmangal Cooperative Bank has distributed Rs 2.50 lakh to poor Muslims and the minister will now call on other banks to follow suit and adopt this model. Deshmukh said that depositors, however, will not be able to withdraw their deposits prematurely as the money will be lent out.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and India’s EXIM Bank, which enables IDB to open its first branch in Ahmedabad. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia there were a wide range of discussions on business and investment in the background of the Kingdom’s $2 trillion Public Investment Fund. Islamic banking could restore equilibrium in Indian society by providing succour to debt-ridden farmers, labourers and other marginalised groups. Hence, Islamic banking has potential as a tool of financial inclusion.