In light of the current global financial crisis, alternative moral- or faith-based economic and financial paradigms have become of greater significance. This lecture is designed to introduce the basic legal and economic principles of Islam and the contemporary Islamic finance industry and explore what it can offer towards generating a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable marketplace.

Umar F. Moghul is an attorney who practices in the realm of banking & finance, private equity and real estate. Mr. Moghul has represented an array of financial institutions, investors, businesses, and family offices (many of whom elect to operate per Islamic principles), in a variety of cutting-edge financing and investment transactions, including the design of some of the first Islamic residential and commercial mortgage products. Mr. Moghul has published several articles and has spoken at numerous forums regarding Islamic law and Islamic finance. He is a lecturer in law at the University of Connecticut School of Law where he teaches Islamic law as well as Islamic finance.  Mr. Moghul also serves on the Board of Trustees of Hartford Seminary. Mr. Moghul earned his J.D. from Temple University and his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.