A highly successful international Islamic business and commerce seminar and networking event took place in London on Sunday 29th August 2004. Over 65 businessmen, decision makers and reporters attended the event. Muslim businesses from different parts of the UK were present and various sectors of the Muslim economy were represented such as Qibla Cola and Evoca Cola, IT firms, accountants, lawyers, designers, printers, distributors, charities and media organisations including British Persian Media.
This was the first event of its type organised by Global Vision 2000 in association with Bartercard and WSI Citywebsystems. Moeen Yaseen, the Managing Director and organiser of the event stated, "This is only the first step towards bringing Muslim businesses together and leveraging their potential through the emergence of a viable global halal trading system".
The morning session was opened in traditional Islamic style with Qur’anic recitation from Imam Dr. AbdulWahab of Luton who highlighted the Qur’anic injunctions to trade and commerce and the condemnation of usury. He also stressed the need for humanity to know each other and collaborate as opposed to despising one another.
Moeen Yaseen from Global Vision 2000 which is a catalytic multilevel organisation committed to the global Islamic renaissance believes it is time to promote and advocate Muslim businesses to adopt an alternative usury free global Islam friendly halal trading system. Jamal Hardwood a leading Islamic economist presented a systematic critique of global financial markets and their impact on Muslims. John Attridge the National sales manager of Bartercard UK highlighted the features and benefits of the Islam friendly leading global trading exchange and the reasons for its success as a 2.2 billion dollar business with 85000 businesses globally. He stated that when, "Bartercard was established in 1991 in Australia they were not aware of the opportunity represented by the world's 1.5 billion Muslims".
Bartercard has already expanded its operation to some Muslim countries including Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, lebanon and Kuwait. There is also the possibility that the Iranian market of over 70 million population would be open to Bartercard.
Waheed Qaiser from the Islamic Bank of Britain spoke about the recent license approval from the Financial Services Authority for the UK's first retail Islamic bank. He was questioned rigorously by the audience on the extent of Islamicity of the Islamic bank in real time transactions.
In the afternoon there was extensive business networking in an Islamic environment free of alcohol with Halal food and prayer facilities on site. The highlight of the afternoon session was the grand prize draw for a free £995 membership of Bartercard which was won by the East London Youth Forum represented by the delighted Asim Ilyas.
Bartercard International
Bartercard UK
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