Comment on recent market volatility
This week, US markets suffered their worst weekly performance of 2015, leaving the S&P 500 Index in negative territory for the year after being up nearly 6% during its mid-July peak. So, as an investor, what should you do about it, if anything? Research shows that emotional selling, or bailing out of investments because things […]
What Dodd-Frank can learn from Islamic finance
Five years ago last month, Congress took a step toward reining in elements of a troubled financial system when it passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The move was touted as an end to the laissez-faire principles embodied in the repeal of Glass-Steagall, which had previously protected against many of the […]
Socially responsible investment firm announces independent Islamic audit
(Falls Church, Virginia, 8/4/15) — Azzad Asset Management today announced the successful completion of an independent, external Shari’ah audit and verification of its policies and procedures. Azzad is the first investment firm in the United States to obtain such a verification. Conducted by the UK-based Islamic Finance Advisory and Assurance Services (IFAAS), a leading specialist […]
Azzad clients to give $3.7 million in charity
FALLS CHURCH, Va., July 8, 2015 — Azzad Asset Management, advisor to the Azzad Funds and sponsor of the Azzad Ethical Wrap Program, announced today that its Muslim clients are expected to donate a record amount of money this year in order to fulfill their religious obligation of Zakah, or giving in charity a certain percentage […]
Azzad CEO Bashar Qasem takes part in 14th annual AAOIFI conference
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, April 7, 2015 — Bashar Qasem, President and CEO of Azzad Asset Management, joined leading scholars and representatives from global financial institutions in Bahrain last month for a two-day conference focused on the application of Islamic principles to international financial products and services. The event, which was held March 22-23 in […]
Dividend investing, the Azzad way
Dividends are one way in which companies “share the wealth” generated from running the business. They are usually a cash payment, often drawn from earnings, paid to the investors of a company – the shareholders. These are paid on an annual or, more commonly, a quarterly basis. The companies that pay them are usually more […]
Active vs. Passive Investing – Who’s Right?
Active vs. Passive Investing — Who’s Right? Over the past several years, investor sentiment has shifted from active stock picking to passive indexing. Should you do the same for your portfolio? The answer is more complicated than you might think. Both active and passive investing are subject to cyclical performance. And to make things more […]
Azzad welcomes pope’s encyclical on the environment, social justice
(Falls Church, Va., 6/18/15) — Azzad Asset Management today welcomed Pope Francis’ encyclical calling for swift worldwide action to combat climate change, protect the environment, and move toward economic equality. In the encyclical released today, Laudato Si, the pope issues “an urgent invitation” to people of all faiths to reduce their consumption of resources and […]
The least we can do this Ramadan
Last month, I was privileged to join the Hagerstown community at the Islamic Society of Western Maryland for a weekly halaqah, or study circle. After the imam presented the Qur’anic lesson, he turned it over to me to offer a summary of a lesson from Imam al-Ghazzali on the importance of wara, or caution, in […]
Preparing your finances for Ramadan
This month, Muslims worldwide will embark on a personal journey of self discipline and spiritual renewal. They will abstain from food and drink, give charity to the needy and attempt to recite the Qur’an in its entirety before month’s end. In addition to these rituals, many will use the holy month of Ramadan as an […]
