Will Islamic Crowdfunding fail or succeed in creating a more Islamic Financial Marketplace?

So... EthisCrowd.com won Best Islamic Crowdfunding Platform 2016. MashaAllah, I am humbled and thankful. Very very thankful.. [More pics HERE]

What does this mean? Is it so important to be the 'best'? Here are my thoughts on our first ever award:

It is not being best in this category that matters so much. It is the fact that such a category EXISTS that really matters.

As recent as 2 years ago, the Islamic Finance world was largely unaware or not interested in crowdfunding. 

In fact, the term 'Islamic Crowdfunding' did not exist, arguably until it was popularised upon the launch of the Islamic Fintech Alliance. I still remember clearly how the founding members of the IFT Alliance were initially divided about the use of the term, before we reached a consensus.

Part of the founding members of the IslamicFintechAlliance.com. Read more HERE.

So, has  #IslamicCrowdfunding finally arrived? Is it set to revolutionise the world? Is this the future of Islamic Finance?

(see my article linkedin.com/pulse/islamic-crowdfunding-vs-banking-umar-munshi)

Yes, and no... but more of a YES inshaAllah :)

My interactions with academics and prominent Muslim leaders recently give me great belief that Islamic Crowdfunding is indeed a concept very close to the fundamentals of Islam, and can bring immense benefit to the global Ummah.

..So that's a yes! 

This yes is based on potential, not (yet) on having a HUGE and PROFOUND impact on the lives of Muslims. Trust me, it is coming very very soon. There is clear proof-of-concept. There are successful projects, and we have investors/donors coming on board every week. Alhamdulillah.

EthisCrowd investors' Trip to Jakarta in October 2015.

But for Islamic Crowdfunding to really change the world, the single most important ingredient is ACTION by our community.

Crowdfunding is nothing without the crowd. Islamic Crowdfunding will only flourish when the Ummah steps up to create a better reality, together.

Together. United. Community supporting community.

I humbly invite YOU to join me and our growing community of 15,000 from around the world. Lets together grab this opportunity to create a more truly Islamic Financial Marketplace, online.

Let's take ACTION and open the doors of Allah swt's blessings:

1 . Seek to understand. Get educated. Question and analyse everything. Get your mind involved.

2. Join our community at EthisVentures.com. You just need your email to be registered. Get involved. Don't be left out of the loop.

3. Like, comment on, and share this post. A few seconds is all it takes. Social Media is the single most powerful driver of our growth. Get the entire community involved.

Crowdfunding globally is expected to hit US$100bn this year..

..Islamic Crowdfunding is less than 0.003% of this!

When will we take action a one united Ummah?

Do share ideas on how we can better reach out to and get more people involved actively in #IslamicCrowdfunding. Much appreciated :)