Zitouna University announce the call for papers on "Islamic Finance and Economic Empowerment" for the 5th Sfax International Forum on Islamic Finance | SIFIF 2018 which will be held in Sfax (Tunisia) on 7 and 8 April 2018, in partnership with the Zitouna Tamkeen Microfinance Institution and in collaboration with the Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI, Saudi Arabia), the International Shari’ah Research Academy (ISRA, Malaysia) and the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM, Malaysia). Researchers, academics and professionals in Islamic Finance are strongly invited to contribute and share new and innovative ideas in Islamic Finance & Economic Empowerment.

SIFIF’2018

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Islamic Finance and Economic Empowerment:Toward an Innovative Approach to Development and Poverty and Unemployment Alleviation

th Sfax International Forum on Islamic Finance5

All are invited

A Shariah Scolarss, Academicians,

Research and Islamic Finance professionals

Call for papers

7-8 April 2018, Sfax-Tunisia

5

Rationale

The 5th Sfax Forum will focus on the economic empowerment approach in alleviating

poverty and unemployment from an Islamic perspective. Actually, the economic

empowerment approach attracts much international attention because of its strong link

with real economy and social and solidarity economy. The Economic empowerment is

defined as the process of developing capacities enabling the individual (or a group of

individuals) to take charge of his (their) economic, professional and social destiny. It

appears as an alternative approach for development and reduction of poverty,

unemployment, social exclusion and regional inequalities that generates new social

structures and organizations and proposes innovative mechanisms and tools. The starting

point of this new approach is to stop considering the vulnerable population as a "social

burden", but rather as an “economic actor” with high potential that could be involved in

an empowerment process to take charge. In a context where governments are struggling

to combat poverty, social exclusion and unemployment, actors of social and solidarity

economy are increasingly confronted to the need to adopt appropriate strategies and to

obtain material and financial resources to solve socio-economic problems. It is

unanimously recognized that governments alone cannot fully assume their socio-economic

role or achieve the desired development to ensure a fair, equitable, sustainable and

responsible economy. This justifies the need to develop new social and solidarity economy

mechanisms, one of which is the economic empowerment. In this perspective, Islamic

finance offers a range of tools and mechanisms that promote social inclusion and enable

it to respond adequately to economic and social needs such as Islamic microfinance,

Zakah, Al-waqf, Islamic Crowdfunding and Fintech, etc.

In this context, the 5th Sfax forum on Islamic Finance SIFIF 2018, that will be held in Sfax

from7th to 8th April 2018,will focus on this approach of economic empowerment in

alleviating poverty and unemployment from an Islamic perspective. The forum is

organized by Zitouna University (Tunisia) in partnership with the Islamic microfinance

institution Zitouna Tamkeen (Tunisia) and in collaboration with the International Islamic

University of Malaysia (IIUM, Malaysia), the Islamic Research and Training Institute

(IRTI, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the International Shariah Research Academy

(ISRA, Malaysia). The meeting will be an opportunity for researchers to present their

research in this field in dedicated workshops. The forum will be also an opportunity for

professionals to discuss practical and legal aspects of economic empowerment from an

Islamic perspective and to illustrate successful experiences around the world.

Academicians, researchers and professionals in Islamic finance are all invited to

contribute.

Important Dates:

Closing of abstract submission process online: Janury 15, 2018

Deadline for decision on accepted abstracts:: February 15, 2018

Deadline of submission of the full papers: March 15, 2018

The participants will be received and recorded : on the evening of 6th April 2018

Forum date: April 7-8, 2018

Focus Areas

Economic Empowerment within perspective of fiqh and Maqasid Shariah Islamic Economics and Socio-Economic Development. Islamic Finance and Maqasid Shariah Islamic Finance and Social and Solidarity Economy Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development Goals Economic Empowerment: A New Approach for Development Economic Empowerment: Theory versus Practice Economic Empowerment and Social Inclusion From Financing to Empowerment: Islamic Finance as an enabler in eradicating

poverty, social exclusion and unemployment Islamic Microfinance and Islamic Development Funds: ways to Economic

Empowerment Role of Zakah funds, Waqf Funds and Charity in Development and Social Inclusion Role of Zakah and Waqf institutions in financing the budget deficits Role of Zakah and Waqf institutions in promoting the economic empowerment Poverty alleviation through Zakah and Waqf Institutions Crowdfunding and Fintech: innovative tools for economic empowerment Economic Empowerment , inclusive entrepreneurship and social & solidarity economy; Takaful and Economic Empowerment Sukuk and Economic Empowerment Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Development Goals Women's Economic Empowerment Role of Islamic social finance institutions in promoting the economic empowerment

approach Legal and regulatory aspects of economic empowerment Evaluation of social and economic performance of economic empowerment processes Islamic economics and finance: research, development and applications Social finance: Performance, governance, risk management

Submission

Proposals for abstracts and papers should be sent to the following WebSite: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=sifif2018

Proposals will consist of a title, an abstract of no more than 500 words, a short presentation of the author (s), name, affiliation, e-mail address and an indicative bibliography.

Papers can be in Arabic, French or English. The format of the communications must comply with the standards specified

on the website www.sifif.tn

Publication Opportunities

The best papers that will be selected by the scientific committee will be suggested for publication in refereed journals.

- Review “ Etudes en Economie Islamique ” of IRTI for articles in French

- ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance for articles in English

- ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance for articles in Arabic

Certificates of Participation:

Certificates of participation will be granted to all participants in SIFIF 2018.

Important Informations:

Accommodations, nutrition and transfers of participants for the daysof conference will be ensured by organizers of the forum. The accompanying persons are not concerned.

For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Borhen Trigui (President of the International Sfax Forum on Islamic Finance) on: borhen.trigui.fsegs@gmail.com or please visit the web site of the forum : www.sifif.tn

Scientific Committee: Prof. Dr. Hichem Grissa (President of Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Ridha Saadallah (President of the Tunisian Association of the Islamic Economy, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Ezzeddine Khouja (PDG. Zitouna Bank, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Dafer Saîdane (Lille, Skema Business School, France) Prof. Dr. Nabil Ghallab (PDG. Zitouna Tamkeen, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. MounirTlili (Director of Islamic finance research unit, Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Sami Sweilam (Islamic Development Bank, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Prof. Dr. Ali Chkir (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Rami Abdelkafi (Islamic Research and Training Institute, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Prof. Dr. Houssem Eddine Bedoui (IRTI, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Prof. Dr. Hassan Hendaoui (International Islamic University, Malaysia) Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Tahir Elmesawi (International Islamic University, Malaysia) Prof. Dr. Younes Soualhi (ISRA, Malaysia) Prof. Dr. Mondher Kahf (University of Hamad Ben Khalifa, Qatar) Prof. Dr. Mohamed Habib Jarraya (BID, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Prof. Dr. Neila Boulila (University of Carthage , Tunisia ) Prof. Dr. Borhen Neffati (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mohamed Bouzghiba (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Aabdelwahid El Omri (University of Tunis, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Lotfi Ben Belgacem (University of Sousse, Tunisia) Prof. Dr .Iskandar Slim (University of Sousse, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Nabil Kasraoui (Zitouna Tamkeen, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Zouhir El Hadhak (Gabes University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Omar ben Omar (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Elyes Dardour (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Abdelbacet Gowader (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Lassad Darwich ( Zitouna University) Prof. Dr. Sameh Ben Farah (Zitouna University) Prof. Dr. Ahmed Karray (Zitouna University) Prof. Dr. Mohamed Chtioui (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mohamed Mestiri (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mounir Kmantir (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mounir ben Jammour (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Hatem Brik (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ghroubi (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Fathi Abid (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Ghazi Zouari (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mouna Boujelben (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Rania Guiirat (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Aida Kammoun (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Nasser Souissi (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Samah Zouari Borji (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Souhaila Kammoun (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Yosra Slim Kouba (University of Sousse, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Irahim Fatnassi (University of Tunis, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Abderazzak Ben Maatouk (University Bacha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Prof. Dr. Anis Ben Mim (University of Sousse, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Raida Chakroun (University of Carthage, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Mouchira Lahyeni (University of Carthage, Tunisia) Prof. Dr. Souhayla Kammoun (University of Sfax, Tunisia) Prof. Habib Kallel (Zakah Tunisian Association, Tunisia)

Organization Committee Prof. Dr. Maher Jawa (FSEG, University of Sfax, Tunisia)

Mr. Mohamed Megdich (President of Zakah Tunisian Association, Tunisia) Ms. Wiem Zahi (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Ms. Saloua Jouini (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Mr. Bechir Boukria (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Mr. Hatem Al-Abdouli(Zitouna University, Tunisia) Ms. Saida Haj Ammar (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Mr. Walid El-Afi (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Mr. Mosaab Rbahi (Zitouna Tamkeen, Tunisia) Mr. Lasad Kammoun (Sfax International Forum Association on Islamic Finance, Tunisia) Mr. Lotfi Rekik (Development and studies Center of Sfax, Tunisia) Mr. Zouhir Mnejja (Development and Studies Center of Sfax, Tunisia) Mr. Mounir Labidi (Development and Studies Center of Sfax, Tunisia) Mr. Habib Ghorbel (Tunisian Association of the Islamic Economy, Tunisia) Mr. Oussama El-Kafi (Zitouna bank) Mr. Imed Bouatour (Zitouna bank) Ms. Jihen Mezghanni (Zakah Tunisian Association, Tunisia) Ms. Salma Néji (Tunisian Association of the Islamic Economy, Tunisia) Ms. Khouloud Abid (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax ) Ms. Maryem Kammoun (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Mr. Zghal Ahmed (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Amira Wannes (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax ) Ms. Khouloud Jribi (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Mr. Alaeddine Bouzid (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Mr. Hichem Raboudi (Student Researcher, University of Zitouna ) Ms. Feriel Beb Hmid (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Oumaima Aloulou (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Kaouthar Missaoui (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Nada Sghaier (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Manel Ben Kemla (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Ines Zaabi (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax) Ms. Rabia Kouas (Student Researcher, FSEG, Sfax)

Conference editorial committee Prof. Dr. Jamel Gharbi (University of Lille, France) Prof. Dr. Kaouther Toumi (University of Toulouse 3, France) Ms. Aroua Robbana (INCEIF, Malaysia) Mr. Mohamed El-Lajmi (Zitouna University, Tunisia) Mr. Bechir Chaabane (University of Sfax, Tunisia)

Conference communication committee Nejmeddine Ghorbel (Forum Spokesperson, Chairman of the Development and Studies Center of Sfax, Tunisia) Mohamed Sami Kchaou (Journalist, Tunisia) Radhia Rhimi (Journalist, Zakah Tunisian Association, Tunisia)

Forum Treasurer Mohamed Tounsi (Treasurer of the Sfax International Forum Association on Islamic Finance, Tunisia)