Some entrepreneurs ascribe to faith principles outlined in the Quran. That angle impacts their working environments and product offerings. While a halal approach may limit funding and monetization strategies, it also can define the market for goods and services more precisely. Halal ventures are prominent in the Islamic world because of proximity to like-minded capital sources.

The United States has a contorted relationship with Islam. Contemporary views tend to be framed by the September 11 attacks, despite the fact that Muslims have been part of the national mosaic since the country’s earliest days. In America, the town square of public debate provides a framework for the West to better reconcile its Christian heritage with this other Abrahamic faith.

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.