Story of Humanitarian Efforts from the USA to The World
Exclusive Interview of Halil Demir, Founder & CEO, Zakat Foundation of America
Exclusive Interview of Halil Demir, Founder & CEO, Zakat Foundation of America
As the year ends, we are proud to present the December issue of ISFIRE, completing 14 years of unparalleled dissemination of Islamic financial intelligence.
This edition highlights Halil Demir, Founder & CEO of the Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA), a globally acclaimed philanthropist and visionary humanitarian. As a dynamic leader, he champions the transformative power of community and the Islamic principles of empowerment to create lasting change. Under his leadership, ZFA has delivered impactful humanitarian aid to communities across 45 countries, improving countless lives worldwide.
The cover story highlights Halil’s vision and philosophy, which focus on poverty eradication and have also opened one of the largest Muslim mental health organizations in the United States, providing culturally relevant mental health care. His calm and strategic approach in times of emergency has cemented ZFA's reputation as a trusted global leader in disaster relief. A passionate advocate, he champions causes deeply aligned with his vision, including access to quality education, improved mental health awareness, and the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly for displaced communities.
This issue also covers key events in the Islamic finance industry, including the 14th Global Islamic Finance Awards and Summit held in the Maldives in September, the 10th Islamic Retail Banking Awards, and the 6th WOMANi event, both hosted in Dubai in November. Additionally, the fifteenth edition of the Global Islamic Finance Report (GIFR) was launched in November 2024. The Islamic banking and finance (IsBF) industry demonstrated remarkable resilience, achieving an impressive 16.95% annual growth rate, with AUM reaching $4.45 trillion, underscoring the sector's robust potential and continued expansion.
To secure your copy of this magazine, visit https://isfire.net