Majlis & Markets

December 8 2024  will forever be a turning point in Syria’s modern history. 

The fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime brings new risks, challenges, and opportunities. But how did we get here?

In this episode, we break down Syria’s economy under Assad, from pre-2011 through the 14-year civil war, and explore the economic challenges ahead.

Joining us is Jihad Yazigi, founder & editor-in-chief of The Syria Report. With over two decades of expertise, he unpacks Syria’s economic past, present, and uncertain future.

We covered several topics including:

• Syria's political economy
• The economic factors that led to Assad's downfall
• Challenges ahead for the new Syrian administration

Jihad's Twitter (X)-https://x.com/jihadyazigi

The Syria Report Twitter (X)-https://x.com/TheSyriaReport

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Bahrain’s economy is often overshadowed by its larger Gulf neighbours, but it plays a crucial role in the region’s financial landscape

In episode 56, we spoke to Duncan Mayall, Chief Economist at Consulum. 

He has over 15 years experience advising sovereign wealth funds and investment bodies across the Gulf, North Africa, and China.

In this episode, we covered several topics, including:

• An overview of Bahrain's economy
• The role of sovereign wealth funds in Gulf economies
• Broader economic shifts taking place in the region

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In episode 55, we’re joined by Alex Chehade, a finance and crypto veteran with over two decades of experience. 

His experience includes market-making in traditional finance to leading Binance FZE in Dubai. 

As the Middle East cements its status as a global crypto hub, Alex is focused on bridging the gap between traditional finance and DeFi—making digital assets more accessible, compliant, and user-friendly.

In this episode, we covered several topics including:

• The future of crypto adoption, 
• Regulatory challenges
• What’s next for the crypto industry in the MENA region

Alex's Twitter-AlexCrypto42

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In our 54th episode, we’re joined by Andrew Naylor, Head of Middle East and Public Policy at the World Gold Council. We discuss gold’s role in global markets, its significance in Islamic finance, and what the future holds for this precious metal.

We covered several topics including:

• The drivers behind the recent gold price rally
• Gold's role in Islamic economies and finance
• Whether gold is a better alternative than crypto

World Gold Council research-https://www.gold.org/goldhub

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In our 53rd episode, we're joined by Yasmin AlKhowaiter, host of The Majlis, a podcast where she talks to global thought leaders about Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.

With a background in consulting, Yasmin has worked with both private and public sector clients—giving her a unique perspective on the region’s rapid evolution.

In this episode, we covered several topics including:

• The rise of content creators in Saudi Arabia
• Noticeable socioeconomic changes since 2016
• Saudi's relationship with Trump 2.0 and China

Listen to the Majlis-https://media.podeo.co/rss/MTQxNjc

The Majlis YouTube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@themajlispod

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Monem Salam, Director and Portfolio Manager at Saturna Capital. With years of experience in Islamic investing, he’s been is a leading voice in the industry. 

In this episode, we explore:

• The evolution of Islamic finance
• The latest investment trends
• Where the industry is headed next

Please note that this discussion is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified advisor for financial guidance.

About Amana Mutual Funds Trust-https://www.saturna.com/amana

Halal Money Matters podcast-https://www.saturna.com/amana/hmm

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In our 51st episode, we’re joined by Philip Bahoshy, founder and CEO of MAGNiTT, the leading start-up data platform for emerging venture markets. 

In our conversation, we covered several topics including:

• The region’s VC ecosystem—its challenges, opportunities
• How MAGNiTT is bridging gaps with data and insights
• Philip's outlook for 2025

MAGNiTT's five predictions for 2025-https://magnitt.com/news/our-5-predictions-for-emerging-venture-markets-in-2025-53975

MAGNiTT summary on MENA VC in 2024-https://magnitt.com/research/2024-Emerging-Venture-Markets-Investment-Summary-50967

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In our 50th episode, we spoke to Mohamad Safri, CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM).

With nearly 30 years in banking and over 20 as a leader in Islamic finance, Safri has been instrumental in shaping the global Islamic capital market.

In our conversation, we covered topics including:

• The liquidity challenges Islamic financial institutions face
• How the IILM is tackling these gaps
• The potential impact of AAOIFI’s new sukuk standard

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In this exclusive episode, we’re joined by Omar Ansari, Secretary General of Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI)—the global standard-setter for Islamic finance.

In this depth conversation, we  covered several topics including:

• AAOIFI’s role in shaping the industry
• Why standardisation and implementation are important
• Deep dive into Sharia standards 59 and 62

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Alternative assets like gold, cryptocurrency, and private credit have gained momentum in recent years, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and uncertainty around interest rates. These investments have become key as investors seek stability and higher returns.

With President Trump 2.0 preparing to take office and new uncertainties on the horizon, what’s next for these assets and global markets?

Joining us for our 48th episode is Charles-Henry Monchau, Chief Investment Officer at Bank Syz. Syz Blog-https://blog.syzgroup.com/

In this episode, we spoke about several topics including:

• Defining alternative assets
• Cryptocurrencies and money debasement
• Gold prices
• 2025 outlook for markets

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