TAP talks with Frank Vogel about Sharia-compliant finance, the financial crisis, and why banking is a chance to engage with the Islamic world:
In establishing a study program for Islamic, Sharia-compliant finance, are you trying to facilitate an Islamic takeover of the United States?
[Laughs] No. Islamic finance is one of the most opportune ways to engage with the Islamic world right now if you are concerned about terrorism. It strengthens economic links, it is being put forward by sort of the most Western-leaning individuals throughout the Muslim world, it draws them closer to the Western financial system. There are many, many aspects of it that are extremely favorable to a Western point of view. It’s worlds apart from anything related to terrorism.