South Africa
Profile Overview
Mufti Ismail Ebrahim Desai is a distinguished Shariah advisor and investment banker recognized internationally for his expertise. Currently, he serves as a special advisor to a multitude of Islamic financial institutions, banks, investment entities, and educational institutes globally. With a robust background in Islamic finance, Mufti Ismail has pioneered various Shariah auditing, governance, and risk management standards for Islamic financial institutions, issuing thousands of expert legal opinions (fatwas) that emphasize Islamic finance and economics.
His contributions to the field include participation in and presentation at numerous international conferences, where he has developed innovative Shariah-compliant models for leveraged and structured finance as well as currency trading. With an impressive track record, Mufti Ismail has conducted deal advisory on transactions exceeding 4 billion USD, encompassing a wide range of activities such as complex mergers and acquisitions, divestments, corporate restructures, bond issuances, corporate capital raising, cash management, derivatives, structured finance, and IPO/LBO/MBO transactions.
As the chairman and advisor to various banks, financial institutions, and global funds, Mufti Ismail has made appearances on esteemed media platforms including Bloomberg and Reuters. He holds multiple academic qualifications, including an MA in Islamic Banking, an MA in Islamic Theology, and a BSc in Banking from the London School of Economics (LSE), among other honorary credentials.
Professional Experience
- Shariah Board Member – South African National Zakat Fund (December 2016 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Botswana Life Insurance Limited (February 2016 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Reserve Bank of Malawi (2016 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Shariyah Review Bureau (January 2015 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Hejaz Financial Services (January 2016 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Dubai Gold Exchange (June 2021 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance (January 2013 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Global Islamic Financial Services Firm, Chairman and CEO (January 2014 – Present)
- Shariah Board Member – Purple Group (January 2016 – Present)
Academic Qualifications
- MA in Islamic Theology and MA in Islamic Banking – Darul Iftaa
- International Certificate of Arabic and Islamic Studies – Numaniyyah Institute of Higher Islamic Religious Learning
- Ethica CIFE Islamic Finance Qualification
