Mujtaba Khalid – head Of Islamic Finance Centre At Bahrain Institute Of Banking & Finance (Bibf)
ISFIRE Personalities are leading men and women drawn from the global Islamic financial industry and related institutions. Over the last seven years, these personalities have emerged as a prestigious club of leaders in Islamic banking and finance (IBF). Through short rapid-fire kind of interviews, we aim to bring out hidden aspects of their personalities for the benefit of those who would like to play leadership roles in IBF. This issue’s personality is a young man who has already started leaving a mark in Islamic financial services industry, especially since he joined Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF) as Head of Islamic Finance Centre. Mujtaba Khalid joins a very distinguished faculty of ISFIRE Personalities that include Chairmen and CEOs of Islamic banks and financial institutions, leading Shari’a scholars, practitioners and lawyers.
Previous ISFIRE Personalities include Hasan Bilgarami (CEO of Bank Islami Pakistan), Raja Teh Maimunah Raja Abdulaziz (CEO of Aminvestment Bank, Malaysia), Sheikh Nedham Ya- qubi (Shari’a scholar, Bahrain), Amman Mohammed (CEO of FNB Islamic), and many more (a complete list is reproduced in this issue).
What was your earliest ambition?
Probably wanting to build really big robots, like the ones I used to watch in cartoons.
What do you enjoy the most?
Competitiveness, therefore I love sports – either playing or watching. I also really enjoy spending time with my daughters.
Why are you into Islamic banking and finance?
Short answer; to make a difference, in shaa Allah. Long answer; years ago, due to reading books like Liars Poker, Barbarians at the Gate, and watching movies like Wall Street and The Boiler Room, I was very impressed and keen on getting into investment banking. For this, I pursued an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance awarded by the London School of Economics, followed by an MSc in Investment Analysis. Somewhere during that time, I started studying about socialism and ethical/socially responsible finance (maybe because this was 2007/2008, and the global financial crises had an impact on my thinking). During this time, I came across an article on Islamic finance which really appealed to me – the whole concept is very beautiful – the application sometimes might not be perfect but the concept is amazing.
What do you do in your spare time?
I work out, read books and articles as well as try spending time with my daughters.
Which movie is your all-time favourite?
It’s a tie between The Matrix and Forrest Gump.
Who has been your greatest mentor?
Most definitely my father!
Where are you the happiest?
At home with my kids!
If your 15 years old sees you today what would he say?
Not bad Mr Khalid…not bad!
In a few sentences describe your 65 years old.
I would hope my 65-year-old self is content, happy and still having fun, in shaa Allah.
Any disappointment in life?
I have had my share of disappointment but not enough to remember
