HBKU lecture to explore digital currency in Muslim World

Collegeof Islamic Studies ( CIS)  at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), willpresent a two-hour lecture titled Digital Currency from a Shari’ah,Economic, and Practical Perspective on March 19.Guest speakersinclude CEO of Qatar Development Bank, Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa;former professor of jurisprudence at Qatar University, Dr Alial-Quradaghi; and professor at HBKU’s CIS, Dr Tariqullah S Khan. Theexploratory symposium is expected to see a wide turnout by students,staff, faculty, guests as well as members of the public.Digitalcurrency – also known as digital money or cybercash – is atransformative technology that is tipped to play a game-changing rolearound the world. Being delivered by several notable subject matterspecialists, the symposium aims to generate awareness on theopportunities and challenges presented by virtual currency. Dr EmadEl-Din Shahin, dean of CIS, noted, “HBKU’s CIS is committed to dialoguethat helps promote the social and economic growth of Qatar. We lookforward to the participation of some of Qatar’s preeminent thoughtleaders in industry and academia, who will offer insight on the role ofdigital currency and unique perspectives which will bring added value toour discussions.” In its in electronic form, the monetary systemenables seamless and immediate transactions without the need fortraditional institutions. The CIS lecture aims to bring attention to thevirtual currency’s impact on the Middle East, exploring e-currency froman Islamic financial perspective. The main discussion will includethree sub-themes: economic and financial aspects, Shariah articulation,and practical implications. Established as a dedicated space forcontemporary Islamic studies, CIS enables students to discuss theirthoughts and ideas concerning Islam, engage in discourse, and guideinformed action on pressing matters. CIS offers two postgraduate degreeprograms - Master of Arts in Islamic studies and the Master of Sciencein Islamic finance, bringing together global academics through itsrenowned research centres.