Partner Organisations

Shariah Advice is only effective when applied in a manner which gives consideration to legal, tax and regulatory issues. This approach requires active collaboration professional advisers. Al Qalam are happy to confirm we have agreements in place to work with the following companies, to ensure our advice is not only shariah complaint but also legally valid, and structured in a tax efficient manner in accordance with regulatory requirements


The Needle Partnership
www.theneedlepartnership.com


The Needle Partnership is a law society regulated firm of solicitors. The firm is headed by Sharon Sakinah Needle. Sharon is both a solicitor qualified in England & Wales and a Barrister in Malaysia. In addition she was admitted to the Selangor (Malaysia) Shariah Bar in 1992. Sharon has studied Arabic and Shariah law at Umm Ul Qura University in Mecca, and for 4 years at the International Islamic University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sharon has been involved in Islamic Finance and Investments at a senior level for almost two decades, both in Malaysia and the UK, advising numerous banks such as HSBC, United Bank of Kuwait, Bank Bumiputra Malaysia and Malayan Banking Berhad. Sharon is also working closely with a large private equity group and setting up a virtual Islamic Investment fund. In addition to being highly proficient in English, Sharon is fluent in Malay/Indonesian and has a working knowledge of Arabic.


1st Ethical Limited
www.1stethical.com


1st Ethical Limited are the UK’s only national firm of shariah compliant tax advisers and financial advisers. The firm is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and has over five years of experience in advising on bespoke tax mitigation strategies, Islamic Wills and halal investments and pensions. The firm has participated in consultation exercises with both the FSA and HM Treasury over the framing of legislation pertaining to shariah compliant financial products and Islamic Wills, and has published an extensive range of literature in the field of Islamic Finance. 1st Ethical is part of the 1e Group, which is within the largest 60 accountancy / financial advisory firms in the UK, when measured by fee income