[Condensed from a talk by Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani, delivered at the International Conference of the World Muslim Congress.]

In a very short period of time, the world trade markets and the "economic boom" took a toll for the worse and plummeted to its all-time low. Those who are unaware of the workings of Western Capitalistic Economy continue to turn a blind eye and regard this crisis as a mere short term recoverable mini recession. At the same time, those who have spent their lives in the field are much more critical. In fact, the Global Crisis is neither a trifling matter restricted to a number of days nor is it recoverable.

A breakdown of how the world got into its current financial mess... And what it means for you and your money.

The global credit crisis presents the $1 trillion Islamic finance industry with an opportunity to expand its appeal beyond devout Muslim investors as a haven from speculative excess.