Abdul Rashid's Blog

1^st October 2009, Thursday – On 27^th September 2009, Sunday, I attended a public seminar on Islamic finance that was held by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), at Indera Kayangan ballroom of The Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong.

The seminar was held from 8.30am until 4.30pm.

The first topic is “The Islamic Vision of Development in the Light of Maqasid al-Shari’ah” and it is presented by Dr M. Umer Chapra.

Dr. M. Umer Chapra…

Dr. M. Umer Chapra is presently serving as Research Advisor at the Islamic Reserch and Training Institute (IRTI) of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). For more info about him, please visit his website: http://www.muchapra.com/

The second topic is “Issues in Islamic Banking and Finance – The Way Forward” and it is presented by Professor Khurshid Ahmad

Professor Khurshid Ahmad…

Professor Khursid Ahmad is the Chairman of Institute of Policy Studies, Pakistan, and the Chairman of Markfield Institute of Higher Education, UK.

Professor Khurshid Ahmad is answering some questions from the participants in the Q & A session.

Dr. M. Umer Chapra is presenting his second topic after lunch break i.e the 3^rd topic of the seminar.

Dr. Umer Chapra…

The 3^rd topic of the seminar entitled: “The Global Financial Crisis: Can Islamic Finance Help?”

Some introduction on the 3^rd topic.

Extra: Food and Treat

Breakfast

Some more breakfast

Lunch: Appetizers

Lunch: Main course

(Photos: Abdul Rashid Haji Tahir. Taken on 27^th September 2009, Sunday, from a perspective of me as a seminar participant)

p/s: Economics is one of my favourite subjects while I was in upper secondary and at the sixth form center. Despite of that I am not "jump" into a field that directly related to my favourite subject. Moreover, I have my own weekness with regards to this subject i.e in dealing numbers and graphs.

However, I do refresh and increase my knowledge in Economic by reading newspapers, magazines, journals, articles in the internet, and by attending some “free” seminars, talks and workshops.

Though Economic is not directly related to my present career, it is important for me to update my knowledge in Economic to understand what is happening around us especially that involved money matters and the production of goods and services as well as the issues arise from them.

Some of the words/ phrases in Economics that I have learnt since a few decades ago: supply and demand, scarce resources, choice, opportunity cost, production of goods and services, price, cost of production, distributions of goods and service, the functions of government, central bank, monetary policy, fiscal policy, banking system, ….and the latest one is “Islamic Finance”.

Related links:

• Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam
• Finance in Islam
• The Brunei Times (28 September 2009) : Expertise Key To Islamic Finance Growth
• Brudirect/Borneo Bulletin (28 September 2009): BIBD Holds Islamic Finance Seminar·

17th September 2009, Thursday --Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) granted the 5th batch of the wishmakers their wishes in a ceremony that was held at the Lobby of BIBD Kiulap branch on 16th September 2009, Wednesday (yesterday).

Acting Managing Director of BIBD, Javed Ahmad presented the wish award to the 10 lucky customers.

(Photos: Abdul Rashid Haji Tahir. Taken on 16th September 2009, Wednesday)

21st June 2009, Sunday – Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) granted the 2nd batch of wishmakers their wishes in a ceremony that was held at the Atrium of The Mall Gadong on 19th June 2009, Friday. The ceremony was followed by a tea reception at the Rizqun Coffeehouse of Rizqun International Hotel.

(Photos: Abdul Rashid Haji Tahir. Taken on 19th June 2009)

Related Links:

• Abdul Rashid’s Blog: BIBD Wish Campaign Official Launching Ceremony.
• Abdul Rashid’s Blog: “My Wish Has Been Granted” by BIBD, Episode 1.
• For futher details about BIBD Wish Campaign, please visit: http://www.bibdwish.com
  

Some links about personal financial management:

• Monetary Authority of Singapore: Money Sense
• The Royal Bank of Scotland : MoneySense

p/s: What do I need to save now?

1. For the “rainy seasons”, such as to repair my car, my house, my computer, and “anything” that need to be “repaired”.
2. For education and career development: self and my children.
3. To finance my hobby…such as to buy new camera, lens, bag, etc…and also: training, outing, and related items (computer software and hardware).
4. Travel and leisure…
5. Going pilgrimage to Holy Land (Mecca and Medina).
6. Buy a new car….when needed.
7. Retirement….there will be no monthly pension for me…but there will BND250 Old Age Pension when I reach 60 years old (*correct me if I am wrong).
8. And a lot more reasons for me to save money NOW.

….the hard part is COMMITMENT and DETERMINATION….as well as the ability to make THE RIGHT DECISION in a given situation and time.