Halal Money Matters | Podcast on RSS.com

Halal Money Matters

Halal Money Matters

by Saturna Capital

Investing Islam

Episode 51: Endowments Deep Dive

Host Monem Salam speaks with returning guest Motasem Benothman, founder of Portola Springs Capital and co-founder of Islamic Endowment Advisors, about why Muslim nonprofits in the US lag behind other faith-based groups in establishing endowments and what can be done to close that gap. They discuss practical best practices around asset allocation, conflicts of interest, spending policies, and donor dynamics so endowments can support Muslim institutions sustainably for generations.

Episode 50: Fighting for a Halal 401(k) Part 2

In this special 50th episode of Halal Money Matters, host Monem Salam continues the discussion on securing halal options in employer retirement plans by exploring a different path: religious accommodation and litigation. Monem speaks with longtime Los Angeles County public defender Haaris Syed and civil rights attorney Zeba Huq about how Haaris went years without accepting his employer’s generous retirement match, then pursued a religious accommodation that ultimately led LA County to create a religious exemption in its 401(k) and 457 plans.

Episode 49: Fighting for a Halal 401(k) Part 1

On this episode of Halal Money Matters, Monem Salam sits down with engineer and Harvard MBA candidate Malek Sarhan to unpack how he helped open access to a truly halal 401(k) inside a giant like General Motors, without walking away from his company match. From discovering that none of the 27 funds in his plan were Sharia-compliant to working through GM’s MENA employee resource group and a supportive executive to unlock halal options through the brokerage window, Malek shares practical steps, lessons, and encouragement for anyone trying to advocate for Islamic retirement choices at their own workplace.

Episode 48: The American Muslim Wallet

American Muslims are younger, highly diverse, and collectively spend an estimated 170 billion dollars a year, with especially strong emphasis on education, real estate, and charitable giving. In this episode, Monem Salam talks with Rafi-uddin Shikoh of DinarStandard about new data on how many Muslims live in the US and Canada, where they are concentrated, how much they earn and spend, and what the numbers reveal about housing, retirement, and the growing gap in financial habits across generations.

Episode 47: Boycott, Divest, Sanction

Halal Money Matters hosts Monem Salam and guest Ibrahim Khan of Islamic Finance Guru take a deep dive into the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement and its impact on Muslim investors, portfolio construction, and ethics. They break down how boycotts, divestment, and government sanctions each work, what makes a boycott effective, where Islamic compliance ends and broader ethics begin, and how to avoid unprincipled or self‑defeating divestment decisions.

Episode 46: The Benefits of International Investing

Is your portfolio too focused on the US? In this episode, Saturna Capital Portfolio Manager Dan Kim joins Halal Money Matters to reveal why international investing deserves more attention. From overlooked global opportunities and discounted valuations to emerging growth in AI, Japan, and Latin America, Dan explains how an international allocation could be the key to smarter diversification in today’s market.

Episode 45: Building Successful Endowments

Special guest Owaiz Dadabhoy and host Monem Salam discuss the importance of endowments for nonprofit organizations, emphasizing their role in providing financial stability and sustainability. They discuss the benefits of endowments, including long-term financial security and the ability to support operations and scholarships. They explore starting with a quasi-endowment and gradually transitioning to a true endowment, emphasizing the importance of clear goals, governance, and community engagement.

Episode 44: Haute Hijab

Our guest Melanie Elturk is the co-founder and CEO of Haute Hijab, the leading hijab brand in the United States, dedicated to empowering Muslim women through fashion, leadership, and community engagement. She joins host Monem Salam to discuss her journey from a law career to fashion entrepreneurship, emphasizing the challenges and growth of the modest fashion industry.

Episode 43: Scams and Schemes

Our guest David Skade is a Financial Crime Executive and has over 20 years experience in risk management and financial crime prevention. He joins host Monem Salam to discuss the complexities of online scams, focusing on anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, affinity marketing, and how scammers play on sentiment and greed to exploit consumers.

Episode 42: Gold as an Investment

Our guest Jon Potts has over 40 years in the precious metals industry. He discusses the historical and current significance of gold as an investment.

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