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Shaikh Saleh
Abdullah Kamel’s Visit And Speech At Cba –
“ ZAKAT IS THE
CORE OF ISLAMIC ECONOMICS ”,
THE SHAIKH
SAID
By :
Syed
KHURSHEED Alam
As
a part of a series of lectures by prominent
scholars, thinkers and businessmen,
organized by Student Affairs Department,
from time to time, to enlighten its students
and faculty with their great experience and
valuable advice,
His Excellency
Shaikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel,
on the
invitation of CBA,
visited
the College on Saturday, the 24th
of February, 2007 and delivered an open
speech to its students and other associates
at its Prince Sultan Auditorium in Dahban,
North Jeddah.
His Excellency Shaikh Saleh Kamel
has many great achievements to his credit,
is an international business tycoon and a
renowned thinker and implementer of Islamic
Economics. The topic of his speech was
Islamic Economics.
Shaikh Saleh Kamel is the President of
Dallah Albarkah Group of Companies, Chairman
of Islamic Chamber of Trade and Industry,
Chairman of the General Council of Islamic
Banks & Islamic Financial Companies and
Chairman of the Board of Arab Radio &
Television, ART etc. etc.
The address of the Shaikh was
enthusiastically attended by a large number
of students from all majors of BBA, faculty
members, guests and other associates of CBA.
The Shaikh told the audience that the
basis of Islamic Economics is the directives
of Sharia i.e. Islamic Jurisprudence,
according to which Al-riba (interest) is
forbidden and , in his view, Zakat is
the core of Islamic Economics, to be
used in true spirit and with proper
methodology, in order to spread/distribute
the wealth and to raise the standard of
lives of the poor having nothing and to
meet the necessities of the needy.
Shaikh Saleh Kamel advised the students to
stick to the faith in Allah-Almighty, have
firm belief in the power of Iman, obey and
serve parents, adopt piety, practice
Islamic ethics and courteousness in our
general and business dealings, morals of
Muslim Businessman, value time and
self-organization, edification of Arabic
language - the language of Holy Quran -
and avoid ‘Tama’ i.e. greed. The Shaikh
emphasized that Islam is a complete code
of life and following it will lead the way
to success in this world and the world
hereafter.
Shaikh Saleh Kamel indicated how did he
start his practical business life in a very
meager way by selling students sports
dresses and other school items in his first
car by going from school to school, which
turned out to be quite a success. Later on,
he thought of getting cleaning contracts in
Saudi Ministry of Defense offering very
competitive cost as compared to American
contractors and succeeded. Shaikh Saleh
stated that from the very beginning he was
of the firm conviction to start something
new which others didn’t do instead of
following the beaten track, and taking this
so called ‘risk’ always proved beneficial
such as the project of ‘ready-made Thob
Saudi’, public transport system,
cleaning projects, Islamic Insurance
Company etc.
The lecture was followed by a lively
question & answer session and the Shaikh
pleasantly answered students various
questions.
On the question of a student, Shaikh Saleh
Kamel indicated that he would extend
support for small business projects
having some new ideas, presented
by students.
On another question from the students for
the possibility of supporting the opening of
a Department of Islamic Economics in CBA,
Shaikh Saleh Kamel welcomed the idea and
assured of his support.
On behalf of CBA, Dr. Abdullah Dahlan,
President of CBA Board of Trustees & Member
of Saudi Majlis Ashura as well as
the College Dean Prof. Hussein Al-Alawi
profusely thanked the honorable guest
speaker for sparing his precious time in
visiting CBA facilities and for delivering
his thought-provoking lecture and for
answering students various questions, which
made the gathering very lively and
interesting. At the conclusion, the Shaikh
was presented with a CBA memento.
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