In our 59th episode, we spoke to Paromita Dey.

She is a wealth management journalist with over 14 years of experience covering private banking, asset management, and investment trends across the Middle East and India.

Her work has appeared in top publications including Citywire, AsianInvestor, and Business Today. Known for turning complex finance into clear, engaging stories, she brings sharp insight and strong industry connections to every piece.

We covered several topics including:

• Financial journalism in the Gulf
• Insights into her time at Moniify (and what went wrong)?
• The power of social media

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

YouTube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod

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In this episode, we’re joined by Dounia Mansour, a Dubai-based partner at King & Spalding.

She advises on setting up a wide range of investment funds—from private equity and real estate to Shariah-compliant structures.

We covered several topics including

• The funds landscape in the Middle East
• The rise of Shariah-compliant funds
• Why the UAE—is becoming a major hub for capital and funds

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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December 8 2024 will forever be a turning point in Syria’s modern history.

The fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime brings new risks, challenges, and opportunities. But how did we get here?

In this episode, we break down Syria’s economy under Assad, from pre-2011 through the 14-year civil war, and explore the economic challenges ahead.

Joining us is Jihad Yazigi, founder & editor-in-chief of The Syria Report. With over two decades of expertise, he unpacks Syria’s economic past, present, and uncertain future.

We covered several topics including:

• Syria's political economy
• The economic factors that led to Assad's downfall
• Challenges ahead for the new Syrian administration

Jihad's Twitter (X)-https://x.com/jihadyazigi

The Syria Report Twitter (X)-https://x.com/TheSyriaReport

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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Bahrain’s economy is often overshadowed by its larger Gulf neighbours, but it plays a crucial role in the region’s financial landscape

In episode 56, we spoke to Duncan Mayall, Chief Economist at Consulum.

He has over 15 years experience advising sovereign wealth funds and investment bodies across the Gulf, North Africa, and China.

In this episode, we covered several topics, including:

• An overview of Bahrain's economy
• The role of sovereign wealth funds in Gulf economies
• Broader economic shifts taking place in the region

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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In episode 55, we’re joined by Alex Chehade, a finance and crypto veteran with over two decades of experience.

His experience includes market-making in traditional finance to leading Binance FZE in Dubai.

As the Middle East cements its status as a global crypto hub, Alex is focused on bridging the gap between traditional finance and DeFi—making digital assets more accessible, compliant, and user-friendly.

In this episode, we covered several topics including:

• The future of crypto adoption,
• Regulatory challenges
• What’s next for the crypto industry in the MENA region

Alex's Twitter-AlexCrypto42

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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In our 54th episode, we’re joined by Andrew Naylor, Head of Middle East and Public Policy at the World Gold Council. We discuss gold’s role in global markets, its significance in Islamic finance, and what the future holds for this precious metal.

We covered several topics including:

• The drivers behind the recent gold price rally
• Gold's role in Islamic economies and finance
• Whether gold is a better alternative than crypto

World Gold Council research-https://www.gold.org/goldhub

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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In our 53rd episode, we're joined by Yasmin AlKhowaiter, host of The Majlis, a podcast where she talks to global thought leaders about Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.

With a background in consulting, Yasmin has worked with both private and public sector clients—giving her a unique perspective on the region’s rapid evolution.

In this episode, we covered several topics including:

• The rise of content creators in Saudi Arabia
• Noticeable socioeconomic changes since 2016
• Saudi's relationship with Trump 2.0 and China

Listen to the Majlis-https://media.podeo.co/rss/MTQxNjc

The Majlis YouTube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@themajlispod

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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Monem Salam, Director and Portfolio Manager at Saturna Capital. With years of experience in Islamic investing, he’s been is a leading voice in the industry.

In this episode, we explore:

• The evolution of Islamic finance
• The latest investment trends
• Where the industry is headed next

Please note that this discussion is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified advisor for financial guidance.

About Amana Mutual Funds Trust-https://www.saturna.com/amana

Halal Money Matters podcast-https://www.saturna.com/amana/hmm

Email me: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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