The shift from multilateralism to bilateralism has caused economic diplomacy to stumble. Instead of using finance and trade to harmonize viewpoints, some leaders are weaponizing them. This approach may be an extension of strongman politics, which will mitigate itself over time. Or it could lead to deeper fractures in the international order, with unpredictable and degraded outcomes.

Shariah-compliant investments extend across the breadth of the allocation spectrum. Levying or benefiting from interest is forbidden; some considerations are haram because of their speculative qualities. Geography itself is not a qualification or constraint. In Muslim-dominant nations, there can be both halal and haram alternatives within established sectors, such as banking and finance.

The Islamic banking industry is an integral part of the global financial system. During its growth spurt in the first decade of this century, the industry was fueled in Southeast Asia by government-induced restructuring and in the Middle East by oil-sourced liquidity. The sector has been a magnet for faith affinity in everyday affairs. Strengths in retail banking support strategies to grow wholesale efforts.