Islamic Economics Research Bureau

Islamic Economics Research Bureau (IERB) () is a private research institution in Bangladesh which undertakes its research on Islamic Economics. IERB operate its all activities to form Islamic economics into an institutional shape. IERB trains bankers and economists at multilevel to meet the needs of skilled bankers of the established Islamic bank in Banglades. It also arrange seminar, symposium and workshop to increase the public opinion and consciousness by the side of Islamic banks. Finally, its aim to help transformation of the economy of Bangladesh into an Islamic one. IERB also plays a great role in establishment of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. Shah Abdul Hannan is the current chairman of IERB.
History
About four decades ago in 1976, few Islamic thinkers formed Islamic Economics Research Bureau. This institute totally run on voluntary contributions. As an Islamic Economics research institute, IERB is the very few one which survived for several decades and has become internationally renowned without any access either to international or government fund. The dedicated efforts of Islamic thinkers in Bangladesh are the main reason for this impressive performance.
The major objectives of IERB are to provide support for writing, translating and publishing books on Islamic Economics and also developing models and methods for the application of Shariah in the field of economics, finance, insurance and banking. Its other objectives are to provide support for the training and development of professional personnel in Islamic economics to meet the needs of research and Shariah observing banks and non-banking financial institutions and also provide consultancy services on management, human resource development, research and development, institution building etc. in the filed of Islamic economics, banking, insurance and finance to help solve specific problems.
Activities
In order to attain its objectives, IERB undertakes activities such as research, consultancy works, publications, international communication, research and policy seminar, lecture series etc.
Among them, research and policy seminars are most important activities of the Islamic Economics Research Bureau. In these seminars, Islamic scholars present their findings on a wide variety of issues. Such seminars includes - Regular Monthly Seminars, International Seminars, National Seminars, Regional Seminars, District Level Seminar etc.
Besides the seminars, the IERB has been organizing lectures by distinguished scholars and personalities since 1989. Such series have helped the Islamic scholars of Bangladesh to come in contact with great minds of the world. Two types of lecture series are being organized: Distinguished Lecture Series in Islamic Economics, and Occasional Lectures Series.
Publications
Journal
* Thoughts on Economics
This quarterly journal has been publishing from 1980. It is refereed by many international organization because a very high professional standard has always been maintained. Islamic Insurance, Islamic Banking and Distribution of Income and Wealth are the special issues which are covered by the journal.
Books
The list of books published by IERB are:
* Nationalization and Bangladesh
* Islamic Banking System
* Islamic Economics: Theory and Practice
* Interest, Society and Economics
* Dimension of Development in Islam (A compilation of the articles presented in the International Seminar on Islamic Approach to Development with Special Reference to Bangladesh” held during 27-29 November, 1985)
* Towards An Islamic Common Market (A compilation of the articles present in the International Seminar on “Islamic Common Market” held during 18-20 December, 1993)
* Usr in Islamic Viewpoint : In case of Bangladesh
* Text book on Islamic Banking
* Zakat and Poverty Alleviation (A compilation of the articles presented in the international seminar on “Zakat and Poverty Alleviation in Bangladesh” held during 14-15 December, 1998)
* IERB Islamic Finance Bulletin
* Women in Development, 2006
* Prohibition of Interest: A Historical Judgment of Pakistan Supreme Court
* Bank Management and Monetary Framework in Islamic Economy
* Poverty Alleviation in Islam
Policy Monograph Series
The list of policy monograph series are:
* National Budget 1986-87 of Bangladesh : A Review
* Bangladesh : In search of a Real Justified Irrigation System
* Rural Development Approaches and Practices in Bangladesh.
Research Monograph Series
The list of research monograph series are:
* The Concept of Economic Development in Islam.
* Zakah and Ushr : Socio-Econo-Administrative Implications
* Role of Government in an Islamic Economy.
* The Success and Failure of Various Regional Groupings Among the OIC Member Countries.
* Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) : Financing from Islamic Perspective.
Global Linkage
Islamic Economics Research Bureau has established an ‘Exchange Program’ with 58 (fifty eight) institutions in 15 (fifteen) countries. There are several international subscribers to the Bureau’s journal. Bureau’s Members have participated in several conferences in abroad (India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Jordan, Turkish Cyprus, USA, United Kingdom, etc). The IERB has very close links with University of Sokoto, Nigeria; International Islamic University, Malaysia. Islamic Research & Training Institute, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Centre for Research in Islamic Economics, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; International Institute of Islamic Economics, Pakistan; Islamic Foundation, UK and International Association of Islamic Economics, UK. The IERB is also the “Associate Member” of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).
Notable personnel
* Shah Abdul Hannan
Future Plan
The IERB plans to strengthen its research and publications activities particularly in the multi-disciplinary areas. IERB plans to develop its library which, at present, is in a very rudimentary stage. It’s also plans to give scholarship to individuals interested in pursuing higher studies in Islamic Economics.

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