Charity, Philanthropy, Income Distribution

the Editorial Board of JKAU-IE has decided to run its next Discussion Forum on the topic: “Income and Wealth Disparities: Current Trends and Remedies”. The participants will be requested to contribute in whatever point(s) from the following that they wish by expressing their valuable thoughts:

1. Overview: concept and measurement (i.e. how inequality is defined and its extent is measured?)

2. Contemporary trends, dimensions, statistical evidence and consequences of the phenomenon

3. Does discrimination in gender, race or religion matter? And do where you were born and the socio-economic background of your parents matter as well?

4. What role does the financial system and instruments play in this matter? Issues like micro-financing and the doctrine of ‘financial inclusion’.

5. Effect of interest-based finance in exacerbating the case as poor and needy people can’t afford to overcome the stringent of collaterals, and good entrepreneurs can’t raise venture capital, etc.

6. What can be done? Policies and remedies by governments and international organizations: what are they? What do they stand for? Have they been helpful and effective?

7. What can Islamic economics contribute?

8. Recommendations and future directions

On behalf of the Editorial Board, may I humbly request you to write a few pages (without any restriction from our side) to lead the discussion. We will be obliged for this favor. Other contributors to the DF may add some other dimensions to this important issue from different perspectives which is hoped to enrich the discussion on this important issue.